End of Days for Steroids

ESPN

The Governor of California took time from his state’s deepening fiscal crisis last weekend to preside over a body building contest.

Never mind that the guy who won the event, the prize for which included a Hummer and $100,000, looked as natural as a taxidermy exhibit. And put aside the governor’s continuing financial stake in the gathering, which attracts more athletes than an Olympic Games. If Jesse Ventura could wrestle as governor, then Arnold should be able to return to his roots, too.

The trouble is that those roots are rotting, and the tree-sized bodybuilders who owe their careers to the Governator are starting to fall. It must have been an astonishing scene backstage at the Greater Columbus Convention Center last weekend. While the movie-star-turned-politician was holding court at his Arnold Classic, some attendees were holding subpoenas that had been delivered by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. They were invited to appear later this month before a grand jury in Des Moines.

***

[Schwarzenegger’s] position on federal oversight of supplements was summed up by his anti-regulatory quip, “I have very rarely seen the government do anything that was effective.”

***

By coming to Columbus last weekend, the Governor admirably refused to ignore his roots. But the ground is starting to shift underfoot. Things are starting to get messy. It’s time for Arnold to get it.

This is an uncomfortable situation for Schwarzenegger since he owes much of his fame to his physique, which was almost surely helped along the way with steroids. He can’t very well come out now and tell people not to take steroids, given that he gained worldwide fame, mega millions, and the governorship of the largest state in the union with their help.

FILED UNDER: Sports, , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Myria says:

    Boomers have never exactly been known for letting consistency or their pasts get in the way of a good anti-vice campaign.

    Myria

  2. bryan says:

    He can’t very well come out now and tell people not to take steroids, given that he gained worldwide fame, mega millions, and the governorship of the largest state in the union with their help.

    Gee, I didn’t know Arnold was governor of Alaska? why does he get so much publicity, then. While Alaska is the largest state, it certainly doesn’t have the highest population.