Steroid Usage: The Dark Days of Athletes

Life is hard, let's face it. Some days are bright, others are as dark as a black hole. Everyone experiences both. It is how we deal with these types of days, however, that differentiates us. How we deal with these days determines character.

The world of athletics exemplifies a chaotic combination of bright and dark days.

We all have our favorite athletes. The ones who make the great passes, score the unthinkable touchdowns, run 100 meters faster than you can say your mother's full name. They gain awards for their wins, and glory for their success. They have the chance to show how hard work and dedication can influence the entire world. From the public's perspective, it's as if every day is a bright day.

But what happens when managing daily routines becomes too stressful? When the pressure of the public eye feels like an unliftable weight? When the desire to win trasnforms into a need?

This is when many athletes place the fate of their athletic abilities into the hands of steroid usage.

This marks the beginning of the dark days. And these dark days are manipulative times of corruption that only those with character can overcome.

Steroid usage is a constant battle in the world of athletics. It is present in every sport, and dominates the outcome of every game, race and meet. Athletes are faced with the pressure of demanding workout routines, strict health guidelines and being in the center of the public eye on a daily basis. Every decision affects how they compete, and how the public will view them. These responsibilities often cause them to seek additional assistance.

Athletes such as Barry Bonds, Marion Jones and Barrett Robbins have all fallen victim to steroid usage. They used performance enhancing drugs in order to become stronger, faster and more successful. Although they all experienced glory for their remarkable achievements, time passed and, as always, the truth was uncovered.

What distinguishes one from the others, however, is that Marion Jones confessed to the crime. Her momentary lapse of good judgement and self-motivation did not overpower her character. After winning five medals at the Sydney Olympics, she was willing to sacrifice them in order to gain back her good name and moral conscience.

Life is full of ways to cheat, and just like athletes, we want to gain recognition and success in our every day lives as well. Will we find a shortcut, or will we take the long road to a well-deserved future? The choice is up to you. Just remember, you are bound to encounter dark days. But a strong, self-assured character can wander in even the blackest of holes and find the light.