The ideal of an athlete goes way back to Greek times and the first Olympics. The Greko-Roman tradition of a champion - a strong body, mind and spirit - has always been a model for many in their endeavors. But the age old prize of glory seems to be getting farther and farther away from modern society with our medical and technological advancements.

What does it truly mean to be a champion?

Today there are many practices to enhance performance. We have experimented with human growth hormone, blood doping, steroids, and many other things. Problem is, where do you draw the line? For each additive to performance there is a decrease in the glory factor. Even energy drinks and protein/creatine supplements could be considered performance enhancing.

With that in mind, human growth hormone specifically has come into great scrutiny because it is such a powerful ingredient - yet it is produced by the body itself. Taking human growth hormone and artifically infusing it, however, has proven to make "super men" and greatly increase advantage. With that said, it is things like these that detract from glory, and the initial ideal of overcoming great physical challenges as an athlete that the Greeks developed.

Besides, I don't think the Greeks even knew what human growth hormone was!