Robert Lipsyte

About the author: Robert Lipsyte is a New York Times sports columnist and the author of several books including Idols of the Game: A Sporting History of the American Century.

At a time when many people are using drugs such as Prozac and Viagra to enhance their performance in the workplace and elsewhere, the distinction between necessary therapy and unethical performance enhancement has become harder to maintain. Athletes should not be held to a higher standard than the rest of society when it comes to using chemical substances to improve their performance. Drug testing procedures and other measures to control drug use are in part a battle for control over the sports industry between athletes and those who...