ere has been many different studies to try to create a steroid that an athlete could take to increase muscle mass, endurance, or speed without risking dangerous hormonal effects but it has turned out impossible. There will always be consequences and risks if one decides to take the easy route. In recent studies doctors and nutritionists have determined that along with the massive gains there is also a great loss of tissues in the joints, which leads to serious and more frequent injuries. (Deeter p.15) Nonetheless, athletes have used these drugs for over three decades. Dr. Allen Ryan, Dr. Daniel Hanley, and Dr. William Taylor, all former medical advisors to the USOC have spent years trying to warn the medical profession and the sports community of steroid abuse among athletes. (Voy p.16) In the 1976 Olympics a young body builder was in competition when he suffered a dislocated elbow and ruptured patellar tendon the result of mixing an anabolic and catabolic steroids. (Voy p.17)Major League Baseball has also been a host of introducing two newer supplements: creatine and androstenedione. These questionable drugs were key components of the 1998 season. Mark McGuire and other baseball superstars were involved in a battle for the homerun record, which had been held for thirty-eight years by Yankee Hall of Famer Roger Maris. McGuire ended up winning the homerun title with an unbelievable seventy home runs nine more than the record. No one among the owners, union or commissioner’s office wanted to tarnish McGuire’s record by initiating a drug test to ban androstenedione and other testosterone boosters. (Associated Press p.1) “It’s legal” McGuire said, “Major league baseball is not the IOC. It had absolutely nothing to do with me hitting the baseball. It had something to do with getting through the workouts during this season when you’re worn down as an athlete.” “A substance that ...
