Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

Discuss why performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) should NOT be allowed in competitive sports. Please provide examples and/or supporting documentation for your stance.

Full Answer Section
  • PEDs can damage the integrity of sports. When athletes use PEDs, it can damage the integrity of sports. This is because it erodes the public's trust in the fairness of competition.
  • PEDs can set a bad example for young athletes. When young athletes see their role models using PEDs, it can encourage them to use PEDs themselves. This can have serious health consequences for young athletes.
There are many examples of athletes who have been caught using PEDs. For example, in 2015, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after it was revealed that he had been using PEDs. In 2017, Russian athletes were banned from competing in the Winter Olympics after it was revealed that they had been using PEDs. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the international organization that sets the rules for doping in sports. WADA has a list of banned substances and methods that athletes are not allowed to use. Athletes who are caught using PEDs can be banned from competing in sports. I believe that PEDs should not be allowed in competitive sports. They are harmful to athletes' health, they give athletes an unfair advantage, and they damage the integrity of sports. I urge all sports organizations to continue to crack down on PED use and to protect the health and fairness of competitive sports. Here are some supporting documentation for my stance:
  • The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): https://www.wada-ama.org/en/
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6309a2.htm
Sample Answer Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are substances that can artificially improve an athlete's performance. They are often used in competitive sports, but they can have serious health risks and can give athletes an unfair advantage. There are many reasons why PEDs should not be allowed in competitive sports. Here are some of the most important reasons:
  • PEDs can have serious health risks. Many PEDs can have harmful side effects, including liver damage, heart disease, and cancer. In some cases, PEDs can even be fatal.
  • PEDs give athletes an unfair advantage. Athletes who use PEDs have an unfair advantage over those who do not. This can lead to less competitive and less exciting sporting events.