There was a time not too many years ago, when drugs and athletics were mutually exclusive terms. Parents, coaches and the public at large saw great merit and worth in sports pursuits by young people. How many children carried a dream to grow up and be just like their favorite sports hero? How many learned to bring out the best in themselves because of playing sports? How many became better people because of athletics?
Maybe they started with Little League Baseball or Pop Warner Football, or perhaps it was basketball, track & field, soccer or gymnastics. It really didn’t matter. There was an underlying theme to the youth sports of yesterday and as corny as it sounds today, many kids grew up believing it: “Playing sports made you a better person.”
Athletics taught children the principles of discipline, physical conditioning, goal setting, team effort and hard work. It even taught them about good sportsmanship (although losing never comes easy for focused and determined athletes).
But that was then and this is now! It’s a whole new athletic world out there today. Young people hear about an ever-expanding circle of top athletes using banned steroids and other drugs. The message being implicitly conveyed is that if they want to succeed in athletics, then they too must use such drugs.
As hard as it may seem to believe, there are now even parents and coaches who — either directly or indirectly — are actually encouraging young athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The new athlete’s adage seems to be: “It only matters if you win and you must be willing to do whatever it takes to get there.” (Remember the martial arts teacher in the first Karate Kid movie?) Unfortunately, young, impressionable minds are only too willing to absorb this dangerous philosophy.
That’s why Athletes Against Steroids is making this plea to all parents and coaches. You have great power and influence over the future direction and well-being of today’s aspiring athletes. A misplaced putdown, an off-the-cuff remark may be all it takes to encourage a young person to turn to drugs.
If you are a parent or coach who has been supportive of the use of performance drugs with young athletes, PLEASE RECONSIDER THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTION! Don’t betray the trust of a young person who respects you and looks up to you. Don’t help them destroy their life. Teach them the true ideals of athletics. Explain to them that as great as it is to excel in sports, there is life beyond athletics.
No life is worth destroying for a trophy, or a medal, or even for a lucrative contract. Yes — winning in sports is a great feeling, but winning at the game of life is an even better feeling. That’s the arena where it takes a true champion.
