Blood doping and steroid use has been a recurring issue in mainstream sports for a while. However, within the past year, it has repeatedly shown up in the news regarding athletes who have either lied about it and been caught or who have come forward themselves.

Marion Jones is someone who the media as well as the track and field governing body has made an example of for lying to investigators about doping. According to a CBS affiliate in Los Angeles, on Nov. 23, the governing body annulled all of Jones’ records since September of 2000--including her Olympic and world championship titles--because she admitted to doping. The governing body also told Jones to return the estimated $700,000 in prize money she earned since 2000.

Blood doping is when an athlete boosts the number of red blood cells in his or her body in order to enhance athletic performance. This can be done by drawing blood, storing it, and then re-injecting it back into the body before a major competition.

Jones definitely deserved the punishment that the track and field governing body sanctioned. The more athletes who fail drug tests for steroids and doping, the more it makes me question any athlete who is the best at their craft. As someone who ran track in junior high and high school, I felt Jones’ triumph when she won those championship titles seven years ago. However, I now feel betrayed and enraged at the fact that she not only lied to the investigators about doping, but she also lied to her fans about her excellence.

There is no excuse for any athlete to use any type of stimulant for any reason. Not just for the reason of not wanting to use them, but after years of what the athlete would call “hard work,” once they are caught, it’s almost as if they never existed. Instead of being remembered as a great athlete, blood dopers will always be remembered as athletes who were good, but only because of their use of stimulants. We will never be able to know Jones’ full potential because she cheated herself and everyone else of having that luxury.

Barry Bonds is another athlete who is under suspicion for steroid use. According to the Examiner, Bonds is scheduled for his first court appearance on Dec. 7 for lying to a grand jury in 2003 about knowingly taking steroids. He could face up to three years in prison if convicted. I really hope that Bonds is not guilty and doesn’t disappoint a little leaguer who looks up to him, the way Jones has disappointed me.

As hard as it is for black athletes to keep a good record and appearance when it comes to professional sports, I hate seeing them constantly in situations that portray them in a bad light--especially when it’s so easy to not end up in them. When I was a child, my mom always told me that it doesn’t hurt to tell the truth, but lies will always get you in trouble. Athletes should really stick to that rule.

If it is meant for them to be the best and they train to be the best, athletes shouldn’t need to use methods such as blood doping or steroids. It makes me wonder if the athletes think they are not good enough or if they are just too lazy. Do they think if they use steroids and blood doping then they won’t have to be in the gym as much? It’s something that only the user knows and that the people watching them may forever be left in the dark about.