Athletes assume various risks to compete and achieve success in sports. Many of this risks could compromise their short-term and/or long-term health and could possibly threaten their future careers in elite sports. Society has a conflicted and hypocritical relationship with these risks.

If the risks involve any sort of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids or growth hormone, then the athletes are condemned by society. It doesn’t really matter how serious, exaggerated or overstated the risks from PEDs.

But if the risks involve playing through a relatively serious injury regardless of the long-term damage and health implications, then the athletes are idolized and celebrated for their bravery and gutsiness and heroism.

It irritates me not so much when athletes take risks with their health and physical well-being (which is often inherent in elite sports) but when athletes take stupid risks and are praised for doing so.

A case in point is Tiger Woods’ recent revelation that he ignored his doctor’s advise … Read the rest of this entry »