CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS. The Olympic motto calls for athletes to be faster, higher, stronger. In the ideal, athletes can run faster, jump higher, and grow stronger because they practice long and hard, eat and sleep well, take care of their bodies, and listen to their coaches. But life does not always meet the ideal. Too often steroids, or chemical body boosters, illegally contribute to an athlete's strength and success. Two types of steroids affect athletes: corticosteroids and anabolic androgenic steroids.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids come from substances secreted by the adrenal glands, located near or on the kidneys. When rubbed on the skin, corticosteroid drugs reduce acne and allergic skin reactions. When injected into a joint, they relieve inflammation and pain from injuries. When inhaled, they relieve asthma. So, athletes often have legitimate uses for them.

To make sure these drugs are used legally, sports governing bodies monitor...