Sports Experts to Discuss Use of Performance Enhancing Chemicals

February 8, 2008

Experts, coaches, and executives in the Central Ohio sports community will discuss the use of performance enhancing chemicals in professional athletics during a panel discussion of “Performance Enhancing Chemicals: The Technology of Perfection,” noon to 1 p.m., February 11, at Capital University Law School, 303 E. Broad St., downtown Columbus.

Angie Beisner, OSU professor of athletic training; Marc Kessler, partner specializing in sports law at Hahn Loeser + Parks LLP; Ken Schnacke, president and general manager of the Columbus Clippers, and Rob Oller, sports columnist for the Columbus Dispatch, will share their opinions on and insight into the use of performance enhancing chemicals such as steroids.

The panel will address the legal issues and physical effects of the drugs. Panel members will discuss the cut-throat level of competition in professional athletics, including the unfair advantage given to users of performance enhancing chemicals.

The topic was triggered by the December 2007 release of “The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball.” Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig hired former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell to investigate the rumors of widespread use of performance enhancing chemicals, including steroids and human growth hormones. Selig also directed Mitchell to recommend solutions to the problem.

The panel discussion is one in a series sponsored by the law school’s Hot Topics Committee. The February 11 discussion is co-sponsored with the Sports and Entertainment Law Association at Capital University Law School.