'Roid Rage
the cautionary tale of marion jones and the danger of using steroids
2007-10-09
By Rani Whitfield, M.D.

When multi gold medalist and track super star Marion Jones recently announced that she used steroids after vehemently denying the allegations for years, it sent a shock wave across the country and mixed messages to her friends, family, and fans.  This coming on the heels of Barry Bonds record breaking home run season tainted with accusations of steroid use and the recent rumors of talented boxers Sugar Shane Mosley and Jameel McCline’s use of steroids to prepare for their matches.  The question most people are asking is why? 

Performance enhancing drugs are not new to the arena of sports.  They date back to the early Olympic Games, which started in Greece and have now evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry. Synthetic testosterone derivatives like the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in question have been around since the 1930s for the treatment of low testosterone levels in men, the “wasting” or weight loss seen in persons infected with HIV or cancers, and delayed puberty.

Women use these illegal and potentially harmful substances for the same reasons men use them:  to improve athletic performance, to become more muscular, to gain weight, to lose weight, to recover faster from fatigue and injury, and/or to increase speed and endurance.   

AAS have become much more complex as proven by the “designer” steroids used by Marion Jones, some of which are undetectable with the latest technology in urine, blood, or hair samples.  Steroids are administered in many ways including pills, needles, patches, or creams.  Once in the blood stream they are soaked up by muscle cells and promote the production of protein, which stimulates muscle growth.  Athletes will mix different types of AAS to achieve various effects, as there is no accepted medical dosing standard for the use of these drugs for performance enhancement. Side effects of AAS use/abuse include high blood pressure, strokes, elevated cholesterol, nausea, sleep disturbances, acne, increased aggressiveness, and mood disorders including anxiety and depression.  Women can experience reduced breast size, increased body and facial hair, a deeper voice, and menstrual problems.  In men, reduced sperm count, impotence, breast growth, and decreased testicular size have all been documented.  Some of these side effects are irreversible and require surgical treatment.

As early as 1969, journalist Bill Gilbert was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, “The pill, capsule, vial, and needle have become fixtures of the locker room as athletes increasingly turn to drugs in the hope of improving performance.”  The desire to win and to gain the edge over one’s opponent is innate, however in the “steroid” culture, there is a phrase used by some professional athletes:  “If you are not using steroids, then you are not trying hard enough!”  This quest for supremacy at the expense of one’s health has taken over and the all-mighty dollar is more important than health, longevity and loved ones.  Steroids have been used and proven to build strength and endurance in competitive athletes for decades; however, AAS are illegal, potentially harmful and considered cheating.  Are these the messages we want to deliver to young African American athletes?  

Marion was one of my favorite athletes. Her situation is a very unfortunate one, but there’s something she can do to regain some of her shine.  It’s not too late for her to become a role model and begin to educate young athletes on the only way to become successful in competitive sports without jeopardizing their health:  hard work and proper nutrition.

Dr. Rani Whitfield (aka "Tha Hip Hop Doc" ) is a board certified Family Practice and Sports Medicine Physician who lives in Baton Rouge, LA.  He can be reached at DrRani@h2doc.com.