This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Watching pro cyclist Lance Armstrong's insincere apology/excuse for why he cheated by using performance-enhancing drugs was amusing but completely unnecessary. Who thought he was clean?
OK, part of me wanted to believe, but I don't feel any different about him today than when I cheered him from my couch during his seven Tour de France wins.
Let the players play. Let them use all the drugs they want. Why should I care? They knew the risks and chose to get better at their craft and earn more money.
I don't buy the argument that they are jeopardizing their health. Steroids are in the past. Human growth hormone can actually be beneficial to your health. Especially for injured athletes. And we get our favorite players back a lot faster.
Meanwhile, consumers like me get to watch these athletes ride faster, jump higher, hit baseballs out of stadiums, etc. How is that not a classic win-win? It's time to move past the archaic mindset of opposing performance-enhancing drugs, and embrace the great things they can offer us.
Kalvin Hendricks
Lehi