Steroids

We are having a steroid crisis in sports here in the U.S. A recent case is that of baseball star Raphael Palmeiro who, in March of 2005, swore to a U.S. Congress committee investigating the use of illegal drugs by athletes that he never had before used steroids, was suspended by his sport for using the drug
After being caught, Palmeiro said he meant in previous statements about the drug is that that "never knowingly used steroid". I have no idea how he could inject steroids without being aware of it, but that's Palmeiro's problem to explain. But authorities dropped an inquiry into Palmeiro's possible steroid use, saying "it's impossible to tell" if he used them.
The problem of pro athletes using steroids and other enhancement performers is so pervasive that routine testing is done in most sports to weed out the druggies. But it of course is a flawed process. It seems that many athletes have drug masking technology that is usually a step ahead of the testing itself. We al know about Olympic druggies, and about the accusations against Lance Armstrong and other premier athletes who "just haven't been caught'; but are suspected as being cheaters.
The first drug cheating by athletes dates to the late 50's, in East Germany. If one looks at films of the East German female swimmers in the 60's and 70's it is an eye-opening sight. They appear to be male and have huge muscular definition, probably completely steroid created. Those swimmers ruled the waters until drug testers caught them in their ruse and forced them to swim without drugs. Shortly after the scandals the East German swimmers became an after thought, rarely winning competitions but suddenly appearing to be female again in appearance. In the years after, athletes became more muscular looking and records began falling regularly. the open secret is that most of the world's premier athletes use steroids, and of course all deny that they do.
The sad aspect to cheating with drugs is that their cheating has disillusioned spectators and caused many sports to lose the big fan base they once had. Too, the steroid problem has seeped into all levels of sports. Coaches of high school and junior high athletes have been caught supplying steroids to their little athletes.
As a teacher, I see the huge muscular appearance of high school sports starts today. It is a noticeable change from earlier years. Though the testing programs have reduced the numbers of cheaters overall to those who know who to mask the drugs when tested, the problem persists because sports legislative bodies do not punish cheaters severely enough. I think, suspension for a year or two for first time offenders and life time bans on competition is a reasonable punishment for a second time cheater.
Yet, most punishment is cosmetic to appease fans. If those who regulate sports do not take a more serious approach to eliminating drug cheating in their sports, the world of sporting will lose even more appeal for fans and some sports will die from the apathy fans show toward them. It's sad to think that to see a "clean" competition today, one must turn to the 7 and 8 year old beginners...uh....well.....maybe they are clean.