Tony Thompson: anti-doping rules and gun laws are identical

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are widely taken around the world. While certain persons take these medicines in order to treat several illnesses, others administer them in order to induce increasing muscle mass, gain energy, burn fat, etc. Undoubtedly, nobody will be ever capable to contest positive effects which can be achieved with the help of these preparations. But it is important to take in consideration that steroids cause undesirable reactions along with benefits. That’s why those who intend to use these drugs should study probable dangers before they begin to take these drugs.
Knowing about possible risks, you can find several methods in order to prevent or minimize them. Those that have ever used steroids know that some of them convert into estrogen in the body, leading to such side reactions, as water retention, gynecomastia, fat accumulation, etc. Anti-estrogen products have ability to prevent or at least to minimize severity of these health problems. Anabolic steroids also suppress natural production of testosterone. Fortunately, there are some remedies which can restore this process.
Besides of products, there are also other methods to avoid or reduce undesirable results. Doses should be reduced; cycles must not be long; appropriate stacks should be chosen, etc.
While certain side consequences of steroids are obvious, others can be detected just with the help of lab tests. Thus, anabolic steroids may enhance hematrocrit levels. This negative reaction is quite dangerous. High hematocrit levels cause other grave adverse consequences. Persons with this problem may face diseases of cardiovascular system and problems related to blood circulation. Even heart attack and death may occur because of elevated hematocrit levels. That’s why it is necessary to check hematocrit levels while applying anabolic-androgenic steroids.
If a steroid user finds out that he/she has high hematocrit levels, this individual should consult his/her treating doctor. Usage of steroids must be discontinued. Health care providers appoint medicines for reduction of hematocrit levels. Thus, hematocrit levels should return to their normal levels. Otherwise, additional problems will appear.
Hematocrit levels should be kept within normal range. There are some simple rules that should be kept by sportspersons for this purpose. Those that train hardly should drink much water. Furthermore, it is recommended consuming grapefruit. It is stated that this fruit contains a substance that can reduce high hematocrit levels.
In case you desire to avoid having elevated hematocrit levels, don’t take anabolic steroids!

Anabolic steroids increase hematocrit levels

Tony Thompson, an American boxer, claims that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be permitted in boxing. The athlete thinks that anti-doping laws and gun laws are identical. Who doesn’t break gun laws? Only good guys do it. That’s why good guys are at a disadvantage. So, the similar situation is linked with anti-doping rules. Just honest athletes don’t take steroids and/or other doping products. Thus, they fight with those that have increased their performance with the help of anabolic steroids and other related medications.
It is stated that anabolic steroids are forbidden in sports because they are dangerous. What would you claim about boxing in itself? Is boxing safe? The answer is obvious.
But it is also claimed that it is necessary to prohibit steroids and other related preparations in order to make boxing safer. Steroids and other doping products increase performance. The more increased performance is, the more dangerous matches are. However it is true, would you ban anything which promotes performance of boxers? So, you prohibit anabolic steroids because they increase performance. Then prohibit workouts as well since they enhance performance too! So, you will decrease performance while reducing possible risks. What do you think about this condition?
Tony Thompson also adds that detection tests are not efficacious at all. While a lot of sportspersons take forbidden drugs, just some of them are caught and suspended. Thus, dopers have unfair advantage over those who keep anti-doping rules. There is no fairness.
Of course, arguments provided by Tony Thompson are reasonable. Anti-doping rules make rounds more unfair. Moreover, the prohibition of doping doesn’t make fights safer. A lot of boxers continue to apply anabolic steroids and/or other prohibited medications without being caught. They continue to fight and succeed with the help of doping, while good guys are at a disadvantage because they don’t break anti-doping laws.
So, if doping is legalized in boxing, matches will be fairer. Undoubtedly, they will remain unsafe. But they will be at least honest.
Tony Thompson has been harshly criticized for his statements pro legalization of doping in boxing.

Doping can’t exist without steroids

Anabolic steroids are permanently applied by sportspeople, bodybuilders and by ordinary individuals. Since these drugs are forbidden in sports, doping scandals are reported every day. Other remedies are applied along with anabolic-androgenic steroids. Many athletes are inclined to apply heroin. You would possibly wonder why heroin is used in sports. It is suggested that heroin is applied by sportspeople for relief of pain.
Studying history of doping in sports, you can see that athletes are ready to utilize a lot of strange things, if these remedies have capacity to promote muscle growth, ban fat, add strength, speed recovery from muscle injuries and kill pains. Gorgets and pickle juice are only certain remedies which are used along with anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Doping is not a new factor in sports. Sportspersons dope from ancient times. They put efforts to develop new remedies which can help them to reach several goals through increase of performance. It is frequently stated that sports are good for health. Sportspersons and bodybuilders are usually seen as healthy persons. But it is a wrong opinion. Sports are associated with some risks for health. Athletes push their bodies till limits. They take several dangerous remedies that promote their succeeding, obtaining awards and earning money. Although certain athletes reach splendid results linked with prizes, they ruin their health essentially. Some sportspersons and bodybuilders even administer such medications that threaten to life. They do it in the name of athletic performance and success in sports.
Although new remedies for enhancement of performance are introduced, you probably see that the most of scandals are related to steroids and growth hormones. While some remedies appear and disappear quickly, anabolic steroids are unlikely to disappear. However anti-doping officials try to eradicate application of anabolic steroids from sports, their efforts are unsuccessful. While anti-doping officers develop more efficacious tests for detection of anabolic steroids and other related products, sportspersons and bodybuilders find more sophisticated methods to dope and avoid detection. So, many athletes dope while not being caught by anti-doping officers. Nobody can contest that anabolic steroids and some other performance-enhancing drugs are widely abused in sports and bodybuilding. Application of steroids is unlikely to be eradicated from sports.

Steroid defense in tragic case linked with Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius acknowledged that he had killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. But the athlete underlined that he had murdered her because he had mistaken her for an intruder.
Police officers try to determine why Oscar Pistorius actually killed Reeva Steenkamp. They found steroids at the sportsman’s home.
Since anabolic steroids have been found in Oscar’s bedroom, it would be probably argued that anabolic steroids caused uncontrolled violent behavior in the athlete. Anabolic steroids would be demonized for the murder.
Actually, you should comprehend that it is quite hardly to state that steroids are responsible for aggression and violent behavior. Studies related to this issue are quite limited. According to results of certain studies, users of steroids are predisposed to aggression, paranoia, jealousy, etc. It is stated that those that take steroids are more likely to commit crimes than those who have nothing to do with these preparations. But it is important to consider that anabolic steroids may only contribute to aggression. Just these drugs alone can’t cause aggression. They turn out to be just factors that contribute into uncontrolled aggression. Other factors should be also present in order to cause aggression. Circumstances play great role in such situations. So, it is even impossible to define whether anabolic steroids cause aggression or several circumstances. Cases should be viewed as a complex of steroid use and circumstances.
It is also stated by experts that increased levels of testosterone are associated with aggression in some individuals. So, it is important to specify here that while several individuals with elevated levels of testosterone suffer from aggression, others with enhanced testosterone levels are not predisposed to uncontrolled aggression. This condition differs from one person to another.
You can note that the connection between intake of steroids and crimes is a complicated issue. Scientists have not studied this condition well enough to implicate it. So, if defense lawyers of the Olympic athlete want to argue that anabolic steroids have made their client to kill his girlfriend, they should understand that they are going to use controversial statements.

Anti-doping officers are happy: drug manufacturers cooperate with them

Today many drug manufacturers are ready to collaborate with anti-doping officials in their fight against usage of prohibited products in sports. It sounds strange but it is the reality. In fact, if you review the fate of EPO, you can understand why pharmaceutical companies agree to support efforts of anti-doping officials. EPO is actually an efficient remedy for treatment of anemia. Numerous individuals with anemia that have applied EPO have been treated. But what do you think while hearing about this preparation? Almost any individual associates this remedy only with doping in sports. This drug has been abused by the seven-time winner Lance Armstrong that has cheated the whole world. So, EPO is associated only with cheating, shame, etc. Looking at this case, drug manufacturers try to “defend” their medications from the similar fate. That’s why they work together with anti-doping agencies.
Although several pharmaceutical companies started to collaborate with anti-doping agencies long ago, sometimes there were some problems between them. Anti-doping agencies criticized certain pharmaceutical companies for their connections with doping.
Today relations between anti-doping officials and drug manufacturers are better. Drug manufacturers share detailed information about new medications with anti-doping agencies. It is precious information for development of detection tests for these medications. While anti-doping officers find out how drugs are manufactured, how they pass into body, how they work in the body, they can develop more effectual tests for these medications.
For example, the drug manufacturer Roche that elaborated the medicine CERA helped anti-doping officers to develop a detection test for it. Later other companies followed the example of Roche. The drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline went so far, as it sponsored an anti-doping lab during London Olympics.
While relations between anti-doping officials and huge drug manufacturers become closer, smaller drug manufacturers begin to cooperate with anti-doping agencies as well. While previously pharmaceutical companies haven’t wanted to discuss about their relations with anti-doping officials openly, nowadays they don’t fear to announce about this aspect.

If steroids are banned in sports, herbs should be banned too

It is not needed to subject sportspeople to tests for performance-enhancing substances. A lot of cases display that tests for forbidden medicines aren’t effective. Moreover, it is important to understand that application of tests by anti-doping officers is not logical at Olympics. The chief goal of Olympic athletes is following: to become faster, stronger and to be at the highest level. Thus, why should you keep sportspeople far from drugs which could help them to achieve this result?
As you know, steroids and other related medications boost performance. So, sportspeople should be allowed to use these remedies in order to enhance physical performance.
Many individuals say that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs make competitions unfair. Is this opinion true? No, it wrong. You should recognize that tests for steroids and other related medicines make competitions unfair. A lot of athletes apply doping products while avoiding detection. So, several sportspersons apply anabolic steroids; others don’t break anti-doping laws. As a result, consumers of performance-enhancing drugs have unfair advantage over non-dopers. It’s unfair. Let all athletes have similar access to performance-enhancing drugs. So, competitions will be fairer.
But discussing unfairness in sports, you should remember about other conditions that have more serious impact of fairness/unfairness than steroids and other related preparations. Some athletes live in developed countries; others are in less developed countries. Some sportspersons have money to purchase necessary equipment; others can’t afford it. Certain countries can sponsor sportspeople, coaches, sport doctors and managers; others are not able to do it. So, unfairness should be noticed here.
Olympic athletes spend much time while training. They sacrifice time, money, etc. That’s why it is illogical to ban those who are caught administering anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.
While sportspersons are sentenced to suspensions for intake of steroids and several other chemical substances, they are never suspended for usage of herbs and certain potions. It is stated that anabolic steroids and other chemical substances are banned in sports because they can boost physical performance. But what is for herbs and potions? They are also capable to boost strength. Nonetheless, these remedies are not banned in sports.  Chinese athletes take herbal remedies and win.
Of course, you may claim that steroids and certain other products may result in serious negative consequences. Undoubtedly, certain forbidden medicines may cause serious health troubles. But those who plan to take these products do own research. They are aware of probable dangers. Let athletes decide whether it is worthy to take such medications. If they are ready to worsen health, let them do it because they are masters upon own bodies.

China should be blamed for manufacture of steroids by underground labs

David Howman, the director general of the WADA, claims that China is the main source of raw materials used by underground labs for manufacture of steroids, HGH and other related products. Raw powders are shipped from this country. Then underground labs produce illegal medicines which are offered for sale by dealers at gyms and on the streets.
The black market of anabolic steroids controls sales of illegal medicines on the white market. The black market is the source of medicines which are available on the white market. It is stated that almost all products which are sold have been initially obtained from underground labs which have utilized raw materials from China.
Top athletes are often criticized for intake of anabolic steroids and other related products. Since steroid scandals appear daily, numerous persons consider that steroids and other doping products are mainly administered by top sportspersons. But it is important to notice that this a wrong point of view. Certain experts have determined that anabolic steroids and other related products are more widely used by high school students and aged individuals who try to improve their appearance. While students want to increase muscles with the help of anabolic steroids and certain other illicit drugs, aged individuals try to gain strength and reduce fat deposits with the help of these products.
Unfortunately, legal supplements frequently contain steroidal substances. Companies include such compounds intentionally. As a result, those who apply only nutritional and/or sport supplements turn out to be dopers. According to David Howman, the director general of the WADA, it is necessary to supervise supplement industry in order to prevent appearing of supplements which contain illegal substances.

Wrong conceptions about doping in future sports

What is your point of view linked with legalization of doping in sports?  Some persons consider that it is time to legalize it. Others don’t agree. What do you think?
Those that are against legalization of doping in sports think that anabolic steroids and other related drugs represent significant evil. They may cause severe negative results in consumers. Moreover, a doper has unfair advantage over a non-doper during competitions.
According to another opinion, administration of anabolic steroids and other doping products should be allowed in sports. Let sportspeople take whatever they want! If they want to take anabolic steroids, let them do it! If they plan to administer other medicines, let them do it! If they desire to use several preparations, let health care providers monitor their intake! Health care providers know what their patients should do in order to avoid some undesirable results. Thus, performance-enhancing drugs will not lead to serious undesirable results. As a result, usage of anabolic steroids and other related preparations will be relatively safe for health and life of consumers.
As you know, anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs are currently prohibited in sports. When sportspersons are suspected and/or found guilty of doping, scandals appear. Such situations are frequently discussed during TV shows, in magazines, newspapers, on internet, etc. You must know that every scandal usually contains not only truth but also gossips, exaggerations, etc. As a result, you can’t assure whether certain affirmations are true or not.
Those who are against legalization of doping in sports say that athletes increase performance unnaturally with the help of anabolic steroids and other related medicines. Discussing about enhancement of physical performance, you should not forget about enhancement of sexual performance, cognitive abilities, improvement of health, etc. Why do we administer some products and supplements, improving our health and life, while blaming athletes that try to promote performance with anabolic steroids and other doping products? Isn’t it hypocrisy? You would note that steroids and certain other performance-enhancing drugs lead to health problems. Yes, it is true. But what do you think about usage of caffeine and nicotine? They are accepted in the society. But it is necessary to note that caffeine and nicotine cause more serious health troubles than steroids and other related medications. Nevertheless, users of caffeine and nicotine are not so harshly criticized, as consumers of steroids.
Anti-doping agencies hope that they will soon eliminate doping from sports. “Competitions will be fair”, - they exclaim. But it is necessary to acknowledge that doping will be never eliminated from sports. Anti-doping officers will not be ever able to do it. While they elaborate new tests and enhance punishment for application of banned substances, athletes find new ways to avoid detection. Thus, anyone should understand that this conflict will never end, if doping is not allowed in sports.

While some athletes use doping products, others submit to performance-enhancing procedures

Dan Le Batard, a newspaper sportswriter, notices that it is necessary to think over our attitude to doping. Do we evaluate different sportspersons identically? Do we accept administration of steroids and other related medications by athletes? What is our real attitude towards athletes that utilize anabolic steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs/procedures? Do we express admiration of those that are successful in sports due to steroids and other related remedies?
Sometimes the society is responsible for doping of sportspersons. The society should be blamed for abnormal actions of sportspersons. The society admires of abnormal things that occur in sports. The society praises those that have ligaments taken from cadavers. The society admires of sportspersons that are involved in different abnormal actions: playing football with catheter, cutting fingers off, etc. Athletes do a lot to become famous. They submit to various procedures that are not needed for their life. Furthermore, they apply such products and procedures which cause different health problems in them. Why do they do such things? The answer is obvious: they want to be praised; they desire to become famous. Thus, they do it for athletic performance. While sportspersons apply remedies which result in grave harm in them, we support their actions through our admiration, awards, money, etc.
In fact, the society is hypocritical. While we are inclined to demonize steroids and some other banned products, we don’t condemn sportspersons that utilize different procedures for increase of their physical performance. While we demonize several dopers, we praise others. Why are certain medicines and procedures prohibited for increase of performance, while others are permitted? Let be reasonable! If you blame steroids, don’t support those that apply alternatives to these products that are also capable to promote physical performance. If you want to see natural abilities of sportspersons, don’t praise those that submit to different procedures for increase of physical performance! Before you demonize or praise someone/something, ponder over this aspect! Don’t hurry and be reasonable!

Anti-aging clinics supply sportspeople with anabolic steroids and other doping products

A lot of anti-aging clinics are connected with doping scandals. It’s naturally because they supply sportspersons and bodybuilders with steroids and other related products. When appropriate authorities search anti-aging clinics and confiscate medical records, they see that several successful sport figures are clients of the clinics.
Lately some anti-aging clinics located in Miami were investigated. Federal agents determined that the clinics sold prescription drugs illegally. The clinics sold preparations for increase of muscle mass, reduction of fat deposits, increase of strength, etc.
According to the newspaper the Miami New Times, the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis was found guilty of illicit sale of performance-enhancing drugs. Moreover, such prominent baseball players, as Alex Rodriquez and Melky Cabrera purchased doping products at Biogenesis of America. Thus, the anti-aging clinic turned out to be connected with one of the biggest steroid scandals in baseball.
Medical records of Biogenesis were taken from an employee of the clinic. The records were displayed on the website of the newspaper Miami New Times. Journalists said that the employee who provided the records didn’t want to be identified.
It is reported that anabolic steroids, HGH, IGF-1 and other prescription medications are widely sold illegally by anti-aging clinics. Moreover, clinics hire doctors that provide fake prescriptions. Prescriptions for anabolic steroids and other related preparations are often given to clients without proper examination of their individual conditions. Moreover, physicians provide prescriptions even without seeing their patients. In additions to these aspects, some corrupt physicians allow anti-aging clinics to utilize their prescription pads. As a result, anti-aging clinics sell steroids, painkillers and other prescription drugs illicitly, as if they acted legally.
When illegal activities of anti-aging clinics become evident, owners of clinics, doctors and certain employees are sentenced to several penalties. Nonetheless, the risk to get punishment doesn’t stop clinics from their illicit actions. Although proper authorities try to eradicate illegal sale of prescription preparations, their success is not yet significant.

Frank Thomas considers that baseball will be soon completely “clean”

Although several persons think that doping will be never eliminated from sports, you can come across more optimistic opinions related to this issue.
Frank Thomas, a former MLB player notices that he has had success has in baseball without application of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. He is glad that he has never doped. Looking at Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, he is proud of his achievements in baseball. The baseball stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have reached excellent success. But now their achievements are removed. These sportspersons are considered to be cheaters. They haven’t been introduced into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despites of their success. Frank Thomas is glad about this aspect. He notices that dopers must never be in the Hall of Fame. Moreover, Frank Thomas claims that he has played during the steroid era successfully without application of prohibited medications.
Frank Thomas notices that he has respected the successful baseball players Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.  But since they have taken anabolic steroids and/or other prohibited medications, Frank Thomas doesn’t consider them stars longer. However, he doesn’t have critical words for them. But Frank Thomas believes that usage of performance-enhancing drugs is their decision and they have to suffer the consequences, being out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa turned out to be tainted. Their accomplishments don’t cost anything because they are fake. Such sportsmen shouldn’t be praised.
Frank Thomas considers that the MLB acts properly, agreeing to elaborate blood testing for HGH. While baseball players have submitted to urine testing for HGH, they will also submit to blood testing for this banned preparation systematically. Thus, Frank Thomas thinks that the anti-doping system becomes more effective in the MLB. He suggests that doping will be eradicated from this sport completely. Games will be soon “clean”, according to Frank Thomas.

It’s needed to legalize usage of steroids in sports

Many professional athletes obtained steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs from the Miami anti-aging clinic Biogenesis. The famous baseball stars Alex Rodriquez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon also belonged to individuals that purchased steroids at this clinic.
What is uncommon here? - Nothing. Steroids and other related medications are widely administered in baseball and in other sports. Sportspersons buy these preparations at pharmacies, clinics, etc. Many anti-ageing clinics, pharmaceutical companies and other related establishments distribute steroids and other doping products illegally. The Miami clinic Biogenesis is not the only clinic that is involved in illegal actions related to anabolic steroids and other prescription products. Athletes find various ways to purchase steroids and other related medications and administer them. Although anti-doping officers try to eradicate doping from sports, their efforts are not successful.
Do you think that anti-doping agencies don’t work enough well? Do you mean that they should elaborate more sophisticated drug testing systems? Do you claim that they don’t do their job appropriately?
It is important to see that no any drug testing system is able to eliminate doping from sports totally. Sportspersons find certain methods to avoid detection. Administration of doping remedies is a part of sports. It exists from ancient time. Even ancient Greeks and Romans had several methods to enhance their performance to win. Will athletes stop taking anabolic steroids and other related drugs now?
Several athletes get undetectable medications and apply them. Furthermore, they hire experts that provide tips for usage of steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. So, certain sportspersons have unfair advantage over others. Anti-doping officers can’t change the situation. They are not capable to make sports “clean”. What is it necessary to do under such circumstances? It is probably needed to legalize doping in professional sports. So, anyone will be allowed to administer whatever he/she desires. As a result, no any sportsperson will have unfair advantage over another.
But since anabolic steroids and other related medicines are banned in sports, athletes try to find ways to get and administer these drugs, avoiding detection. When it becomes evident that certain sportspersons dope, scandals are reported.