Should Athletes Have To Forfeit Their Titles And Medalss?

Should athletes who dope have to give up their titles and medals? This topic has been encompassed by a lot of controversies and has been a hot topic in sports organizations for years. Athletes who dope should have to forfeit their titles and medals because doping gives them an unfair advantage and enhances their abilities. Not to mention it is also illegal and can result in a ban from sports and even financial penalties. ("BBC Sport", 2016) There are many reasons as to why doping should have harsh punishments but to understand them, one must understand what doping actually is. Doping is when athletes take illegal substances to improve their performances and enhance their abilities. It is most commonly used in sporting events and competitions and is used to gain a physical and mental advantage. To better understand the subject of performance enhancing drugs, it is good to know what ‘Doping’ actually is and how it affects the body.(“BBC Sport", 2016) By increasing red blood cells within the blood, the …show more content…
Most punishments include bans, sanctions, and fines. Most athletes that are found guilty are usually fined a sizable amount of money. More severe cases have resulted in bans spanning from several months to lifetime bans. Many athletes have been at receiving-end of these penalties and punishments. Notable athletes include Reggie Bush, O.J. Mayo, Lance Armstrong, Hulk Hogan, Hope Solo, and Alex Rodriguez. (“Drug free Sport NZ", 2016) These famous athletes and their decision to use performance enhancing drugs have given rise to ethical issues. Parents and school teachers believe that famous athletes are often seen as idols and role models and these actions aren’t sending a good message to their younger audience and fans. With sports being one of the most entertaining and most viewed events on television, the youth needs better role models to look up