Drug Testing For Athletes

In today’s society, athletes are becoming celebrities in their own right. They are given a lot of publicity and if they truly excel in their respective field, not only they have sky-high salaries but also they manage to get million-dollar endorsements. Unfortunately, there are some athletes who choose to take short cuts and resort to drugs that enhances their athletic abilities, what they do not know is they are risking their lives just to get these so called significant incentives of being an athlete. This is why drug testing athletes are necessary in most international sports federation.

Drug testing athletes is required even in various levels, from collegiate to Olympic athletes. Drug tests are mainly conducted to confirm whether or not an athlete is using performance-enhancing drugs. These procedures are very strict and firm that if there is anyone found violating the policies must not be allowed to join any competition or should be suspended.

Drug testing athletes always submit urine specimen before and after competition. A blood sample may also be taken to detect other substance abuse because sometimes a urine sample is not enough. Though it seems like a very simple procedure, this process must be highly regulated and formally executed because if it results to a false positive an not only the athlete will suffer from its repercussions but also the sports federation.

An athlete may lost his place, medal or accolades and even endorsements if found positive then after an appeal, it turns out that the specimen has been tampered. It’s why there are firm protocols in terms of handling and delivering the specimen to avoid any tamper of the proof.

Some athletes at all levels of sports competition are willing to use banned performance-enhancing drugs even if they know they are violating the rules and expose their health to hazardous situations. One of the infamous violator is Ben Johnson whose bulging muscles, and yellow tinged eyes broke the 100 meter record in the 1988 Olympics only to be disqualified and never to be heard off again.

Drug testing athletes is crucial because it can preserve the integrity of sportsmanship by prohibiting drug use.

If athletes are constantly and randomly tested, they are prevented from using drugs. To avoid unfair competition drug testing athletes is a must.

More importantly, it may save the health of athletes by giving them a better life after their competitive days.