According to the poll conducted by BBC, a wide range of substances – both legal and illegal – are taken by amateur sports men and women to support their performance. They also found that 49% thought performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) were easily available among people who play sports regularly. More than 50 types of anabolic steroids are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), the independent body responsible for the list of substances prohibited in sport. The possession of steroids, which are class C drugs, is not illegal under UK law as long as they are only for personal use.
Performance-enhancing substances can also include recreational drugs and prescribed medications such as cortisone injections or asthma inhalers. 14% say they have taken recreational drugs such as cocaine, MDMA or cannabis while 8% say they have taken anabolic steroids such as nandrolone, testosterone or HGH. They also asked people about other substances that was consumed while playing sport, including: energy drinks (68%), pain-relief gels (60%), over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines (59%) and protein shakes (46%). The use of steroids has been associated to treat diseases, and if you’re actually misusing them without any prescription – you’re not just cheating but you’re putting your life at risk.
Vocabulary:
PEDs – performance-enhancing drugs
anabolic steroids – used as treatment for inflammatory conditions
prescribe – orders of or recommended by a doctor
medication – the act of treating the symptoms of disease using medicines
recreational drugs – a drug (as cocaine, marijuana, or methamphetamine) used without medical advice
True or False:
- A wide range of legal and illegal substances are taken by amateur sports men and women.
- Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) were easily sold among people who play regularly.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency banned more than 50 types of anabolic steroids.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is an independent organization responsible for the list of substances prohibited in sport.
- Under the UK law class C drugs is not illegal.
Express your opinion:
- What do you think are the beneficial factors of taking drugs and other medications? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think are the risk factors of taking drugs and other medications? Please explain your answer.
- Would you agree that it’s okay for athletes to use drug as long as it’s legal? Please explain your answer.
- How do you think would they stop the widespread use of illegal drugs in sports? Please explain your answer.
- Would it be fair enough for every athletes to prohibit the use of any drugs and medications in sports? Please explain your answer.
Defend your argument:
- “ It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”
- “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.”
- “Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.”