The tests also detect masking agents athletes can use to disguise their use of performance-enhancing drugs. Exceptions are not made for athletes who were using steroids for medical purposes (Harris)
The National Football League (NFL) in the United States has such stringent laws regarding performance-enhancing drugs that they actually had to go to court in Minnesota. The NFL has banned a product called StarCaps because it contains a chemical which is banned by the league but the state claims this is superseded by laws in Minnesota which demand protection of workers (Belson 1)
Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Sports In the year 1967, a Dr. Gabe Mirkin asked 100 athletes the following: "If I could give you a pill that would make you an Olympic champion -- and also kill you in a year -- would you take it?" (Freudenrich 1)
In modern times, drug use for athletes can be traced back to the 1960s at the height of the Cold War between the western world and the Soviet Union. At this time, the Soviets were found to have given East German athletes anabolic and androgenic steroids in order to increase their abilities in international competitions, such as in the Olympics (Harding 1)
The steroid controversy is far from over but there are becoming more stern restrictions against the use of performance-enhancing drugs in competitive sports. One of the sporting world's most famous names and indeed the most famous bicyclist in the world, Lance Armstrong, had to give back the many medals he had won for finishing first in the Tour d'France because it was alleged that he had taken steroids (Herper 1)
Still even with the pressures of international disapproval, there are still those who will circumvent the rules in order to give their athletes a better chance at winning. In 2003, it was discovered that the United States Olympic Committee had intentionally covered up 114 cases where an athlete tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs between the years 1988 and 2000, including track star Carl Lewis in 1988 (Mackay 1)
Additionally, both genders can develop severe facial acne, increased likelihood to develop tendinitis or a rupture of the tendons, abnormalities or tumors in their livers, increased bad cholesterol, decreased good cholesterol, hypertension, heart and problems with the circulatory system, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, enlargement of the prostate gland, aggressive behaviors including rage and likelihood to commit acts of violence, psychotic and psychiatric disorders, dependence on other drugs, infections from needle-drug use, and inhibited growth or development as well as a risk of future health problems if they begin using steroids as teenagers or young adults. Many organizations have taken action against steroid use or other performance-enhancing drugs and have strict rules and consequences for those who choose to violate these rules (Murray)
It is important to note that there exists some evidence suggesting that drugs believed to enhance the performance of individuals in one way or the other have been in existence since ancient times. Indeed, steroids are believed to have been used widely in Ancient Greece (Robinson, 191)
This drug soon become popular with those who were seeking a competitive edge in professional sports, especially bodybuilding. Among the most notable athletes who have admitted to having used performance-enhancing drugs in the past include Arnold Schwarzenegger (Rosen, 41)