Steroid use in sports

Imagine sitting in a room full of Olympians, you're told a teammate tested positive for steroid use in sports during a major competition.

I remember hearing audible gasps of horror, as the message reverberated around the room. The manager was visibly shaken, and the athletes were stunned into silence, and well let’s say I was not surprised to hear this news about drugs in sports.

The news explained to me why so many world champion athletes at those Olympics that had been expected to do well were all of a sudden unable to clear hurdles, were unable to make a long jump, and were unable to get a baton around the track.

Ben Johnson created the biggest steroid use in sports news in a century when he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.

I was not surprised, because I was told by an American friend that it was going to happen months before it happened. When I think back to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, I am surprised that the manager could have delivered that news to the athletes with a straight face.

Drugs in sports in America go all the way back to the 1960’s. It is said that American Dr. John Bosley Ziegler created the first steroid to be used in sports, and named it Dianabol. It is believed he created it in the name of national prestige as a way of over powering the dominance of the Russian athletic elite. He was successful.

Ben Johnson did not stand a chance against the American athletic elite. As a lowly Canadian, he was dominating the track, and setting world records every time he ran. It was clear to everyone that knew him and his crew that they were taking drugs. Even the manager knew.

What is not clear is whether, on that particular day, he was still positive or as my friend said the “Americans were sick of his dominance and were going to take him down.”

Today, steroid use in sports is frowned upon even by the Americans, and there are stiff penalties, like life time suspensions for being tested positive for a banned substance.

In the 2004 Greek Olympics, we saw Greek athletes being banned and even chased by the police and their own officials. This was unheard of when I competed in the 1984 L.A Olympics. It will be very interesting to see the outcome of the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As an Olympian, I have always been an advocate of drug free sports, and I offer you an alternative to drugs in sports. On my Olympic Sport Hypnosis CD you will find the script that I used to propel me onto the world stage. I won an Olympic medal, and set a Canadian record that has stood since 1987. Yes for 20 years.

As a sports person, you have access to much more information than I had as an athlete, so use my CD to supplement your workout and competitions. If you desire additional information on steroid use in sports or would like me to speak at one of your events contact me.