[andybak]

Yep but that's true of many sports. In fact most sports at high levels involve a heightened risk of life-changing injury. It's a difference of degree rather than type.

Not that that invalidates your criticism but it does require it to be formulated in a more nuanced way.

[Sesse__]

The biggest problem isn't that the highest-level athletes would waste away their bodies (that's a big problem, but not the biggest); it is that below them, there will be thousands if not millions of second- and third-level athletes doing the same. With much less control.

Imagine if every kid out there that wanted to be the next Ronaldo or Neymar (and could afford it) started taking steroids and EPO. That's a huge cost, and what did we gain exactly? A slightly lower number on some clock?

[mpsprd]

I agree with you, the higher the level, the more athletes will destroy their bodies in the process.

My critism is about actively encouraging said destruction via promotion of stimulants. It's already bad as it is.