In the last few years, there has been a major outcry for the use of steroids in sports. While some people suggest that steroids do not find any place in sports, some say that steroids are necessary for keeping interests of audience in sports and encouraging athletes to go beyond their limits.

Whatever is the case, the use of steroids in sports is on an all-time high and there seems to be no way for sports confederations to stay ahead of steroid-taking athletes, at least for the time being.

From Entertainment.howstuffworks.com:

Athletes face enormous pressure to excel in competition. They also know that winning can reap them more than a gold medal. A star athlete can earn a lot of money and a lot of fame, and athletes only have a short time to do their best work. Athletes know that training is the best path to victory, but they also get the message that some drugs and other practices can boost their efforts and give them a shortcut, even as they risk their health and their athletic careers.

As far back as ancient Greece, athletes have often been willing to take any preparation that would improve their performance. But it appears that drug use increased in the 1960s. One well-publicized incident happened at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 when sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for anabolic steroids and was stripped of his gold medal. Athletes may also misuse drugs to relax, cope with stress or boost their own confidence.

Athletes may have several reasons for using performance-enhancing drugs. An athlete may want to:

* Build mass and strength of muscles and/or bones
* Increase delivery of oxygen to exercising tissues
* Mask pain
* Stimulate the body
* Relax
* Reduce weight
* Hide use of other drugs

With so many positive benefits, the usage of steroids in sports does influence a sportsman to explore his ‘new limits’ by getting closer to steroids. After all, who wants to lose?