The Steroid Subculture at the Mr. Olympia

[Millard Baker]

The Steroid Subculture at the Mr. Olympia

Las Vegas is renowned for its celebration of extremes and excesses. There could not be a more perfect backdrop for the 2004 Mr. Olympia for the sixth consecutive year. The Mr. Olympia is the premier bodybuilding contest were the audience suspends any belief in human physique limitations.

But it is unlikely you will read about it in Sunday morning's papers. Competitive bodybuilding is a still fringe sport and likely not even regarded as a legitimate sport by the mainstream, but instead only a curious subculture.

A steroid subculture. While anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is prevalent in most competitive sports, there is no other sport or lifestyle where AAS is so pervasive. AAS use is synonymous with competitive bodybuilding.

MESO-Rx firmly believes AAS can be used safely for non-medical and physique enhancing purposes. This does not mean they will always be used safely for such purposes. We also recognize that AAS are drugs inherent with certain risks. But regardless of whether pro bodybuilders' use of AAS is healthful or not, the use of AAS should not be denied to those bodybuilders who choose to accept these risks. Non-medical AAS use should be legal or at least decriminalized.

This is a minority opinion in a society where AAS are demonized with hysteria and misinformation and hypocritical moralism. Yet, every year at the Mr. Olympia, this minority is transformed into the majority opinion. Thousands of individuals marvel at the spectacle of a bodybuilding elite who have created monstrous physiques through dedication, determination, and the proper application of training, nutrition, and pharmacology. They make no moral or ethical judgment. They are bodybuilding fans that appreciate the accomplishment. Steroid use is a non-issue.

However, at the 2004 Mr. Olympia, there were strangers in our midst. Reminiscent of a few months ago when DEA agents were on hand at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic to issue grand jury subpoenas, the Feds came uninvited to the Olympia. The word is that indictments were handed out. I'm sure you will hear more in the days and weeks to come.

The federal government is clearly taking a greater interest in the anabolic steroids.

Rick Collins, author of Legal Muscle and the IFBB legal counsel, believes this is the beginning of a new "anti-steroid enforcement crusade by the DEA". We are witnessing a trend towards expanded law enforcement efforts against AAS use in general, and AAS use in bodybuilding in particular.

The Balco scandal... President Bush' State of the Union address... the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004.

All the indicators suggest that greater government resources will be allocated towards "cracking down" on steroid distribution and steroid use. While the Balco scandal implicates top professional athletes in baseball, football, and track and field, it is increasingly evident that professional bodybuilders and those in this industry will be the scapegoats.

[bigntasty21]

Originally Posted by administrator

The Steroid Subculture at the Mr. Olympia

Las Vegas is renowned for its celebration of extremes and excesses. There could not be a more perfect backdrop for the 2004 Mr. Olympia for the sixth consecutive year. The Mr. Olympia is the premier bodybuilding contest were the audience suspends any belief in human physique limitations.

But it is unlikely you will read about it in Sunday morning's papers. Competitive bodybuilding is a still fringe sport and likely not even regarded as a legitimate sport by the mainstream, but instead only a curious subculture.

A steroid subculture. While anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is prevalent in most competitive sports, there is no other sport or lifestyle where AAS is so pervasive. AAS use is synonymous with competitive bodybuilding.

MESO-Rx firmly believes AAS can be used safely for non-medical and physique enhancing purposes. This does not mean they will always be used safely for such purposes. We also recognize that AAS are drugs inherent with certain risks. But regardless of whether pro bodybuilders' use of AAS is healthful or not, the use of AAS should not be denied to those bodybuilders who choose to accept these risks. Non-medical AAS use should be legal or at least decriminalized.

This is a minority opinion in a society where AAS are demonized with hysteria and misinformation and hypocritical moralism. Yet, every year at the Mr. Olympia, this minority is transformed into the majority opinion. Thousands of individuals marvel at the spectacle of a bodybuilding elite who have created monstrous physiques through dedication, determination, and the proper application of training, nutrition, and pharmacology. They make no moral or ethical judgment. They are bodybuilding fans that appreciate the accomplishment. Steroid use is a non-issue.

However, at the 2004 Mr. Olympia, there were strangers in our midst. Reminiscent of a few months ago when DEA agents were on hand at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic to issue grand jury subpoenas, the Feds came uninvited to the Olympia. The word is that indictments were handed out. I'm sure you will hear more in the days and weeks to come.

The federal government is clearly taking a greater interest in the anabolic steroids.

Rick Collins, author of Legal Muscle and the IFBB legal counsel, believes this is the beginning of a new "anti-steroid enforcement crusade by the DEA". We are witnessing a trend towards expanded law enforcement efforts against AAS use in general, and AAS use in bodybuilding in particular.

The Balco scandal... President Bush' State of the Union address... the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004.

All the indicators suggest that greater government resources will be allocated towards "cracking down" on steroid distribution and steroid use. While the Balco scandal implicates top professional athletes in baseball, football, and track and field, it is increasingly evident that professional bodybuilders and those in this industry will be the scapegoats.

what a load of crap...everyone that doesnt juice should be shot (JK)

[bobd]

bump

[jbiggs]

You mean the Olympians aren't drug free?

[cinnabar8521]

Originally Posted by jbiggs

You mean the Olympians aren't drug free?

Yes, but keep on the downlow!

[lestatgear]

There is an unfortunate stigma attached w/ aas use that comes from the general public's ignorance and miseducation by a bias media. Makes me sick!

[KCSMAN]

I Think It Should Be Up To Ones Choice If He Wants To Juice Or Not... The Government Is More Worried About Aas Instead Of Alchol And Cigarettes That Kill More People Then Aas Do... Before Long Protein Powder Will Be Illegal Too...

[MaxRep]

Not to get too off topic but I just read an article in the sports page about a local (So Cal) high school football coach. You would think this guy would be somewhat up on nutrition and supplements as he's a former CFL football player and was permanently injured in a NFL training camp.

However, he said something along the lines of kids Not needing stupid supplements like PROTEIN DRINKS!!! So now we've got a high school head football coach who thinks growing kids don't need supplements like protein drinks. I can imagine what he thinks about creatine and other legitimate supplements, let alone steroids. With this kind of guidance from supposedly informed people, where are we headed?

MaxRep

[jbiggs]

Originally Posted by MaxRep

Not to get too off topic but I just read an article in the sports page about a local (So Cal) high school football coach. You would think this guy would be somewhat up on nutrition and supplements as he's a former CFL football player and was permanently injured in a NFL training camp.

However, he said something along the lines of kids Not needing stupid supplements like PROTEIN DRINKS!!! So now we've got a high school head football coach who thinks growing kids don't need supplements like protein drinks. I can imagine what he thinks about creatine and other legitimate supplements, let alone steroids, if this is what he thinks about protein drinks. With this kind of guidance from supposedly informed people, where are we headed?

MaxRep

Bet his team sucks this year...Nutrition is the cornertstone to any athletic endeaver. Even more important without any "super supplements!"