Millions of people watch sports contests such as baseball, basketball, and football every day. None of those millions want to see an unfair game. Letting athletes take the easy way out and not making them work hard to reach their peak performance is hurting the athlete and letting those who watch them down. Nobody wants to watch a cheater. Performance-enhancing drugs are not needed and should be banned from all sports to ensure the athletes' health and keep the games fair. There are many unhealthy side effects from the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Although these side effects are indirect, they are still life-threatening. Liver failure and increased heart attacks are two of the most harmful side effects (Bad). These side effects can cause anyone who uses them never to be able to play again. Another effect is permanently deformed bones (Sports). Not only can the deformation of bones prevent you from playing further, but it can also prevent you from doing the simple things in life like walking or feeding yourself. Two other side effects are damage to your kidneys and muscles (Sports). Those who take performance-enhancing drugs are not looking at the consequences.
             Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports
             They stand behind the starting blocks, rigid and serious; the tension is palpable. The athletes step onto the starting block; the only barrier remaining between them and Olympic gold is some fifty meters of cool, clear water. They know that the race will be over in less than twenty-two seconds; the difference between the winner and the loser measured by a margin of a few thousandths of a second. At their inspirational best, the Olympic Games affirm the beauty and glory of sport. As we watch extraordinary athletes compete and achieve feats of incredible strength, speed, and agility, we are moved to awe. But to see these athletic performances besieged by assertions of the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs among athletes puts...