Are Todays' Super Athletes Really That Super?

The last ten years have shown a huge increase inobviously does not like to see any reduction in
the number of "super" athletes who have cometheir ticket sales.
under attack for drug usage. Many times aMeanwhile, steps are being taken by the powers
superlative performance has been turned in by athat be to get some kind of control of this
major star athlete only to find out later thatgrowing problem. Baseball Commissioner, Bud
these performances had benefited by someSelig, announced that his science adviser had been
extra help. How do we compare the amazingexamining a human growth hormone blood test
feats of todays' athletes with the records ofwhich is currently being studied. Selig feels strongly
major athletes of years ago who achieved theirthat HGH (human growth hormone) should be
great accomplishments on their own merits andbanned. It actually is currently banned by the
without the aid of any added stimulus? It seemsMajor League Baseball Association and yet there
that they cannot really be compared at all.is no testing or enforcement for abuses.
Many former fans of various sports (particularlyObviously this "honor system" approach to the
baseball) have been turned off by this growingproblem is not working very well. If an athlete is
trend of taking drugs to improve performance tounscrupulous enough to take an illegal drug, he
the point that they are boycotting the sportslikely would be inclined to lie about it as well.
altogether. The latest statistics show that theThere is a lot to be nostalgic about when one
attendance overall for major league baseball isconsiders the "good old days" and athletes who
down 1-2 percent. That may not sound like a lot,excel under their own power is certainly one of
but when you consider that the attendance forthem.
many other sports is growing, the league