American boxer: steroids and other related drugs should be allowed in sports

Anabolic steroids are widely administered around the world. While several persons take these medicines in order to treat several illnesses, others administer them in order to increase muscle mass, add strength, burn fat, etc. Undoubtedly, no one will be ever capable to contest positive effects which can be achieved with the help of these medicines. But it is important to consider that anabolic steroids cause negative results along with benefits. That’s why those who intend to use these preparations should study potential dangers before they begin to use these medicines.
Knowing about potential risks, you can find several methods in order to avoid or reduce them. Those who have ever taken anabolic steroids know that some of them convert into estrogen in the body, leading to such adverse reactions, as water retention, gynecomastia, fat accumulation, etc. Anti-estrogen medications can prevent or at least to reduce severity of these health problems. Anabolic-androgenic steroids also suppress natural production of testosterone. Luckily, there are several remedies which have ability to restore this process.
Besides of medicines, there are also other ways to prevent or reduce unwanted effects. Doses should be reduced; cycles must not be long; suitable stacks should be chosen, etc.
While certain side consequences of anabolic steroids are obvious, others can be detected only with the help of lab tests. So, anabolic steroids may enhance hematrocrit levels. This undesirable result is quite dangerous. Elevated hematocrit levels lead to other severe side reactions. Persons with this problem may face diseases of cardiovascular system and problems connected with blood circulation. Even heart attack and death may be caused by high hematocrit levels. That’s why it is needed to check hematocrit levels while taking steroids.
If a consumer of steroids finds out that he/she has elevated hematocrit levels, this person should consult his/her treating physician. Administration of steroids must be discontinued. Physicians prescribe products for reduction of hematocrit levels. So, hematocrit levels should return to their normal levels. Otherwise, further complications will occur.
Hematocrit levels should be maintained within normal range. There are some simple rules which should be kept by sportspersons for this purpose. Those that train intensively should consume much water. Furthermore, it is recommended consuming grapefruit. It is stated that this fruit contains a compound that is able to reduce elevated hematocrit levels.
In case you desire to avoid having high hematocrit levels, don’t administer steroids!

What should you know about steroid use and hematocrit levels?

The boxer Tony Thompson says that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be permitted in boxing. The sportsman claims that anti-doping laws and gun laws are identical. Who keeps gun laws? Only good guys do it. As a result, good guys are at a disadvantage. Thus, the similar situation is related to anti-doping rules. Only honest athletes don’t use steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. So, they fight with those that have increased their performance with the help of anabolic steroids and other related medicines.
It is stated that anabolic steroids are prohibited in sports because they are dangerous. What would you claim about boxing in itself? Is boxing safe? The answer is evident.
But it is also claimed that it is necessary to ban steroids and other related medicines in order to make boxing safer. Anabolic steroids and other doping products increase performance. The more enhanced performance is, the more dangerous matches are. However it is true, would you prohibit anything which promotes performance of boxers? So, you prohibit steroids because they increase performance. Then prohibit workouts as well since they promote performance too! So, you will reduce performance while reducing possible risks. What do you think about this condition?
Tony Thompson also adds that detection tests are not efficient at all. While numerous sportspersons take forbidden medications, just some of them are caught and sentenced to suspensions. So, dopers have unfair advantage over those who don’t break anti-doping rules. Where is fairness? Where is logic?
Of course, statements expressed by Tony Thompson are reasonable. Anti-doping rules make fights more unfair. Moreover, the prohibition of doping doesn’t make matches safer. Many boxers continue to apply steroids and/or other forbidden products without being detected. They continue to fight and have success with the help of doping, while good guys are at a disadvantage because they keep anti-doping laws.
So, if doping is permitted in boxing, matches will be more honest. Of course, they will remain unsafe. But they will be at least fair.
Tony Thompson has been harshly criticized for his statements pro legalization of doping in boxing.

Steroids will be never replaced in sports

Anabolic steroids are permanently used by sportspeople, bodybuilders and by ordinary persons. Since these medications are forbidden in sports, doping scandals are reported day by day. Other remedies are taken along with anabolic steroids. A lot of athletes are inclined to apply heroin. You would probably wonder why heroin is applied in sports. It is believed that heroin is applied by sportspersons for relief of pain.
Studying history of doping in sports, you can see that sportspersons are ready to utilize many strange things, if these remedies are able to promote muscle growth, ban fat, add strength, speed recovery from injuries and kill pains. Gorgets and pickle juice are only several remedies which are used along with anabolic steroids.
Doping is not a new issue in sports. Sportspersons dope from ancient times. They put efforts to elaborate new remedies which can help them to achieve several goals through enhancement of performance. It is often claimed that sports are good for health. Sportspersons and bodybuilders are usually seen as healthy individuals. But it is a wrong opinion. Sports are associated with some dangers for health. Sportspersons push their bodies till limits. They take some dangerous remedies that promote their succeeding, obtaining awards and earning money. However some athletes reach brilliant results related to prizes, they ruin their health essentially. Several sportspersons and bodybuilders even take such drugs that threaten to life. They do it in the name of physical performance and success in sports.
However new remedies for enhancement of performance appear, you possibly see that the most of scandals are linked with steroids and growth hormones. While some medicines appear and disappear quickly, anabolic steroids are unlikely to disappear. Although anti-doping officials try to eradicate administration of anabolic steroids from sports, their efforts turn out to be unsuccessful. While anti-doping agencies elaborate more efficient tests for detection of steroids and other related products, athletes and bodybuilders find more sophisticated ways to dope and avoid detection. So, numerous athletes dope while not being caught by anti-doping officials. No one can contest that anabolic steroids and certain other performance-enhancing drugs are widely used in the world of sports and bodybuilding. Application of steroids is unlikely to be eradicated from sports.

Olympic athlete acknowledged that he had killed his girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius acknowledged that he had murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. But the athlete stated that he had murdered her because he had mistaken her for a thief.
Police officers try to define why the sportsman really murdered his girlfriend. They discovered steroids at the athlete’s home.
Since anabolic steroids have been found in Oscar’s bedroom, it would be probably argued that steroids caused uncontrolled aggression in the athlete. Steroids would be blamed for the murder.
Actually, you should recognize that it is quite hardly to claim that anabolic steroids are responsible for aggression and violent behavior. Researches linked with this issue are quite limited. According to results of some researches, steroid users are predisposed to aggression, paranoia, jealousy, etc. It is stated that those who take steroids are more likely to be involved in crimes than those that have nothing to do with these preparations. But it is important to take into account that steroids may only contribute to aggression. Just these preparations alone can’t cause aggression. They turn out to be only contributive factors. Other factors should be also present in order to cause aggression. Circumstances play great role in such situations. So, it is even impossible to determine whether steroids cause aggression or several circumstances. Cases should be viewed as a complex of steroid use and circumstances.
It is also claimed by scientists that enhanced testosterone levels are associated with aggression in certain persons. So, it is important to underline here that while certain individuals with elevated levels of testosterone suffer from aggression, others with enhanced levels of testosterone are not predisposed to uncontrolled aggression. This condition differs from one individual to another.
You can note that the link between application of steroids and violence is a complicated issue. Scientists have not studied this condition well enough to implicate it. Thus, if defense lawyers of the Olympic athlete want to argue that anabolic steroids have made their client to kill his girlfriend, they should recognize that they are going to use controversial affirmations.

Why do pharmaceutical companies cooperate with anti-doping agencies?

Today a lot of drug manufacturers are ready to collaborate with anti-doping officials in their fight against usage of forbidden medicines in sports. It sounds strange but it is the reality. In fact, if you look at the fate of EPO, you can understand why drug manufacturers agree to support efforts of anti-doping officials. EPO is actually an efficient remedy for treatment of anemia. A lot of individuals with anemia that have administered EPO have been treated. But what do you think while hearing about this preparation? Almost every individual associates this remedy just with doping in sports. This drug has been abused by the seven-time winner Lance Armstrong that has cheated the whole world. Thus, EPO is associated only with lying, disgrace, etc. Looking at this condition, drug manufacturers try to “defend” their products from the similar fate. That’s why they work together with anti-doping agencies.
Although some pharmaceutical companies began to collaborate with anti-doping agencies earlier, sometimes there were certain problems between them. Anti-doping officers criticized several pharmaceutical companies for their links to doping.
Today relations between anti-doping officers and pharmaceutical companies are better. Pharmaceutical companies share detailed information about new preparations with anti-doping officials. It is valuable information for development of detection tests for these products. While anti-doping officials find out how medications are manufactured, how they pass into body, how they work in the body, they can elaborate more effective tests for these drugs.
For example, the company Roche that developed the drug CERA helped anti-doping officers to develop a detection test for it. Later other pharmaceutical companies followed the example of Roche. The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline went so far, as it sponsored an anti-doping lab during London Olympics.
While relations between anti-doping agencies and huge drug manufacturers become stronger, smaller drug manufacturers begin to collaborate with anti-doping agencies too. While earlier pharmaceutical companies haven’t desired to discuss about their relations with anti-doping officials openly, now they don’t fear to announce about this condition.

Dopers should not be sentenced to ban

It is not needed to subject sportspeople to tests for performance-enhancing substances. Numerous cases display that tests for forbidden drugs aren’t efficacious. In addition to this factor, it is important to realize that application of tests by anti-doping officers is illogical at Olympics. The main purpose of Olympic sportspersons is following: to become faster, stronger and to be at the highest level. So, why should you keep athletes far from medications that could help them to reach this result?
As you know, anabolic steroids and other related medicines increase performance. So, sportspersons should be allowed to take these remedies in order to enhance physical performance.
Many persons claim that anabolic steroids and other doping products make competitions unfair. Is this point of view true? No, it wrong. You should realize that tests for anabolic steroids and other related drugs make competitions unfair. Many sportspersons apply doping products while avoiding detection. Thus, several athletes apply anabolic steroids; others don’t break anti-doping laws. As a result, users of doping products have unfair advantage over non-dopers. It’s unfair. Let all athletes have similar access to doping products. Thus, competitions will be fairer.
But debating about unfairness in sports, you should remember about other conditions which have more serious impact of fairness/unfairness than anabolic steroids and other related drugs. Certain sportspersons live in developed countries; others are in less developed countries. Some sportspersons have money to get necessary equipment; others can’t afford it. Several countries can sponsor athletes, coaches, sport doctors and managers; others are not able to do it. So, unfairness should be discussed here.
Olympic athletes spend much time while training. They sacrifice time, money, etc. That’s why it is illogical to suspend those who are caught administering anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.
While athletes are sentenced to suspensions for usage of anabolic steroids and some other chemical substances, they are never banned for application of herbs and certain potions. It is claimed that steroids and other chemical substances are banned in sports because they can enhance athletic performance. But what is for herbs and potions? They are also able to add strength. Nevertheless, these remedies are not prohibited in sports.  Chinese sportspersons use herbal remedies and win.
Of course, you may argue that anabolic steroids and certain other products may lead to severe negative reactions. Undoubtedly, certain forbidden products may cause serious health problems. But those that plan to administer these medicines do own research. They are aware of probable dangers. Let athletes decide whether it is worthy to apply such drugs. If they are ready to ruin health, let them do it because they are masters upon own bodies.

All raw materials for steroids are shipped from China

David Howman, the director general of the WADA, considers that China is the main source of raw materials used by underground labs for manufacture of steroids, HGH and other related products. Raw powders are sent from this country. Then underground labs manufacture illegal products which are sold by dealers at gyms and on the streets.
The black market of steroids controls sales of illegal medications on the white market. The black market is the source of products which are getable on the white market. It is stated that almost all products that are sold have been primarily obtained from underground labs that have used raw materials from China.
Elite sportspersons are often criticized for intake of steroids and other related drugs. Since steroid scandals appear daily, thousands persons consider that steroids and other doping products are mainly applied by top athletes. But it is important to note that this a wrong conception. Some specialists have determined that anabolic steroids and other doping products are more widely administered by high school students and aged individuals who try to improve their appearance. While students desire to increase muscle mass with the help of steroids and several other illegal medicines, aged persons try to add strength and reduce fat deposits with the help of these medications.
Unfortunately, legal supplements frequently contain steroidal compounds. Companies add such ingredients intentionally. As a result, those that apply only nutritional and/or sport supplements turn out to be steroid users. According to the WADA director David Howman, it is necessary to control supplement industry in order to prevent appearing of supplements which contain illegal ingredients.

Arguments: pro and contra legalization of doping in sports

What do you think about legalization of doping in sports?  Several persons believe that it is time to legalize it. Others don’t agree. What do you believe?
Those that are against legalization of doping in sports think that steroids and other related preparations represent significant evil. They may cause serious adverse results in users. Moreover, a doper has unfair advantage over a non-doper during competitions.
According to another point of view, administration of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be allowed in sports. Let sportspersons administer whatever they want! If they want to administer anabolic steroids, let them do it! If they intend to take other medications, let them do it! If they desire to administer certain medicines, let health care providers manage their application! Health care providers know what their patients should do in order to prevent certain unwanted results. Thus, doping products will not lead to serious unwanted consequences. As a result, intake of steroids and other related medicines will be relatively safe for health and life of consumers.
As you know, steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs are currently banned in sports. When athletes are suspected and/or found guilty of doping, scandals appear. Such cases are frequently discussed during TV shows, in magazines, newspapers, on internet, etc. You must know that every scandal usually contains not only truth but also gossips, exaggerations, etc. As a result, you can’t assure whether several affirmations are true or not.
Those who are against legalization of doping in sports believe that sportspersons enhance performance unnaturally with the help of anabolic steroids and other related preparations. Discussing about enhancement of physical performance, you should not forget about enhancement of sexual performance, cognitive abilities, improvement of health, etc. Why do we take some products and supplements, improving our health and life, while blaming athletes that try to promote performance with anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs? Isn’t it hypocrisy? You would notice that steroids and some other performance-enhancing drugs cause health problems. Yes, it is true. But what do you think about usage of caffeine and nicotine? They are accepted in the society. But it is necessary to note that caffeine and nicotine lead to more severe health troubles than steroids and other related preparations. Nonetheless, users of caffeine and nicotine are not so harshly criticized, as consumers of steroids.
Anti-doping agencies hope that they will soon eliminate doping from sports. “Sports will be clean”, - they exclaim. But it is needed to realize that doping will be never eradicated from sports. Anti-doping officers will not be ever capable to do it. While they elaborate new methods of detection and increase penalties for intake of banned substances, athletes find new ways to avoid detection. Thus, anyone should understand that this “game” will never end, if doping is not permitted in sports.

Society is guilty of doping

The reporter Dan Le Batard notes that it is necessary to think over our attitude to doping. Do we evaluate various athletes identically? Do we accept application of steroids and other related medications by athletes? What is our real attitude to sportspersons that utilize steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs/procedures? Do we admire of those that have success in sports because of steroids and other related remedies?
Sometimes the society is guilty for doping of sportspersons. The society should be demonized for abnormal actions of sportspersons. The society expresses admiration of abnormal things that occur in sports. The society expresses admiration of those that have ligaments removed from cadavers. The society praises sportspersons that are involved in various abnormal actions: playing football with catheter, cutting fingers off, etc. Athletes do a lot to be prominent. They submit to various procedures that are not needed for their health. Moreover, they apply such products and procedures that cause various health problems in them. Why do they do such things? The answer is evident: they want to hear words of admiration; they desire to become celebrated. Thus, they do it in the name of physical performance. While athletes use remedies which result in serious harm in them, we support their behavior through our admiration, awards, money, etc.
Actually, the society is hypocritical. While we are used to blame steroids and certain other prohibited products, we don’t condemn sportspersons that utilize various procedures for increase of their physical performance. While we demonize certain dopers, we admire of others. Why are certain medications and procedures prohibited for enhancement of performance, while others are allowed? Let be reasonable! If you demonize steroids, don’t support those who use alternatives to these medications which are also able to promote physical performance. If you desire to see natural abilities of athletes, don’t praise those that submit to different procedures for enhancement of physical performance! Before you demonize or admire someone/something, think over this aspect! Don’t hurry and be honest!

Anti-aging clinics supply famous athletes with steroids and other related drugs

A lot of anti-aging clinics are linked with doping scandals. It’s naturally because they supply athletes and bodybuilders with steroids and other related medicines. When proper authorities search anti-aging clinics and seize medical records, they see that some celebrated sport figures belong to clients of the clinics.
Recently certain anti-aging clinics located in Miami were investigated. Feds found that the clinics offered prescription drugs for sale illegally. The clinics sold medications for enhancement of muscle mass, weight loss, increase of endurance, etc.
According to the newspaper the Miami New Times, the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis was found guilty of illegal sale of doping products. Furthermore, such prominent baseball players, as Alex Rodriquez and Melky Cabrera purchased doping products at Biogenesis of America. So, the anti-aging clinic turned out to be connected with one of the biggest steroid scandals in the sport of baseball.
Medical records of Biogenesis were acquired from an employee of the clinic. The records were displayed on the site of the newspaper Miami New Times. Journalists noticed that the employee who provided the records didn’t want to be identified.
It is reported that anabolic steroids, HGH, IGF-1 and other prescription medicines are widely sold illegally by anti-aging clinics. Moreover, clinics hire physicians that provide fake prescriptions. Prescriptions for anabolic steroids and other doping products are often given to clients without needed examination of their personal conditions. Furthermore, physicians supply clients with needed prescriptions even without seeing them. In additions to these aspects, some corrupt doctors permit anti-aging clinics to utilize their prescription pads. As a result, anti-aging clinics sell steroids, painkillers and other prescription medications illicitly, as if they worked legally.
When illegal operations of anti-aging clinics become obvious, owners of clinics, physicians and certain employees are sentenced to several penalties. Nonetheless, the risk to receive punishment doesn’t stop clinics from their illicit activities. Although proper authorities try to eradicate illicit sale of prescription medications, their success is not yet significant.

Baseball players will soon play “cleanly”

Although several individuals consider that doping will be never eliminated from sports, you can come across more optimistic opinions linked with this issue.
The former MLB player Frank Thomas notes that he has had success has in baseball without usage of anabolic steroids and other related drugs. He is happy that he has never doped. Looking at Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, he is proud of his accomplishments in baseball. The baseball stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have achieved great success. But now their achievements are removed. These sportspersons are claimed to be cheaters. They haven’t been introduced into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despites of their success. Frank Thomas is glad about this aspect. He notices that steroid users must never be in the Hall of Fame. Moreover, Frank Thomas says that he has played during the steroid era successfully without administration of forbidden medications.
Frank Thomas notices that he has respected the great baseball players Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.  But since they have taken steroids and/or other banned drugs, Frank Thomas doesn’t consider them stars longer. However, he doesn’t have harsh words for them. But Frank Thomas claims that application of doping products is their decision and they should suffer the consequences, being out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa turned out to be tainted. Their achievements don’t cost anything because they are fake. Such sportsmen shouldn’t be praised.
Frank Thomas believes that the MLB acts properly, agreeing to elaborate blood testing for HGH. While baseball players have submitted to urine testing for HGH, they will be also subjected to blood testing for this forbidden preparation systematically. So, Frank Thomas thinks that the anti-doping program becomes more efficacious in the MLB. He suggests that doping will be eliminated from this sport totally. Games will be soon “clean”, according to Frank Thomas.

Athletes will never stop taking doping products

Numerous professional athletes obtained anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis, a Miami anti-aging clinic. The famous baseball stars Alex Rodriquez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon also belonged to individuals that got anabolic steroids at this clinic.
What is uncommon here? - Nothing. Steroids and other related medicines are widely taken in baseball and in other sports. Athletes purchase these medications at pharmacies, clinics, etc. Numerous anti-ageing clinics, drug manufacturers and other related establishments distribute steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs illegally. The Miami clinic Biogenesis is not the only clinic that is involved in illegal actions related to anabolic steroids and other prescription products. Sportspersons find different ways to obtain anabolic steroids and other related preparations and administer them. Although anti-doping officers try to eradicate doping from sports, their efforts are not successful.
Do you think that anti-doping officials don’t work enough well? Do you mean that they should establish more sophisticated drug testing programs? Do you think that they don’t do their job appropriately?
It is important to realize that no any drug testing system is able to eliminate doping from sports completely. Sportspersons find several ways to avoid detection. Doping is a part of sports. It exists from ancient time. Even ancient Greeks and Romans had certain ways to enhance their performance to win. Will sportspersons discontinue administering steroids and other related medications now?
Certain athletes buy undetectable drugs and apply them. Moreover, they hire specialists that provide tips for application of steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. Thus, some sportspersons have unfair advantage over others. Anti-doping officers can’t change the situation. They are not capable to make sports “clean”. What is it needed to do under such circumstances? It is probably necessary to legalize doping in professional sports. So, anyone will be allowed to take whatever he/she desires. As a result, no any sportsperson will have unfair advantage over another.
But since steroids and other related medicines are prohibited in sports, sportspersons try to find methods to buy and administer these medications, avoiding detection. When it becomes obvious that certain athletes dope, scandals appear.