I had a thought earlier today which revolves around whether the goal of athletes(runners in this context) are testing the extent of the human body or testing the extent of the human mind as well. By human mind, I mean the combined technological advancements of humans.
In the first example, there is not justification for cheating in the form of using performance enhancing drugs. You are giving yourself an advantage that you previously would not have, and thus, you should not do it. In this case, if you use PEDs, you should be punished.
However, pushing the limits of the human body, spirit, mind, and technological advancements give a different result. In this case, athletes will use the best technology(ex. supershoes, the best tracks, etc.) This blurs the line of what is naturally testing the human body and what is trying to achieve the greatest possible performances.
PEDs often come with negative side effectswhich give reason for banning them, yet people will still use them. An argument can be made that elite level athletic endeavors are not meant to preserve the athletes health, rather to test how far they can push their capabilities. Athletes will be able to show the full extent of human capabilities if PEDs are used. With that thought process, PEDs can be justified the same way that other technological advancements are.
Another argument for PED usage is that if everyone is allowed to use them, the playing field will be equalized in the same way it would be if testing agencies could actually fully prevent PED usage.
Before today, my belief was that I was testing the extent of my body while running, but I believe that I actually am testing my body alongside the technological advancements which have been made. I think that at a high level, the goal really is testing how far the body can be pushed, with access to any technology as well. There are some caveats to my thinking.
1. PEDs do have proper cause for being banned in many cases, primary cause being harm to personal health. This is a good reason for PEDs to be banned because it will prevent many people from harming their personal health.
2. I would not use PEDs even with the opinion that technological advancements should be allowable. I say this because I do not believe that I have enough talent to risk bodily harm.
3. Some parents would do anything for their child to reach some form of glory. If PEDs are widely used by elite athletes, there will be an inevitable shift down in age and even talent level.
At a high level, athletics may be better off in terms of fairness and entertainment with access to PEDs. But really, if we want to see how far the human body can be pushed, should PEDs be allowable?