TAMPA – The challenge of controlling the use of banned performance enhancing drugs in today’s sports world now includes high school athletics.
In light of the 13 professional baseball players (including Miami native Alex Rodriguez) being disciplined Monday by Major League Baseball for their relationship with an anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned PEDs, the Florida High School Athletic Association is considering an overhaul of existing regulations and creation of new policies regarding their use.
“This should be a vivid reminder that performance enhancing drugs are pervasive in the sports world, and quite frankly are a problem that must be dealt with,” FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing said.
Dearing has asked the FHSAA’s Sports Medicine Advisory committee, a 16-member group of physicians, university professors and physical therapists, athletic trainers and coaches, to review existing policy and bylaws on sportsmanship regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs. Dearing also said a separate, stand-alone policy for private schools and public school districts to adopt would deal with how to discipline coaches and adult employees who distribute banned substances.
Source: TBO
