We have put it behind us – what happened to a Nigerian teenage girl, the 16 year old…who won a gold medal for Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. She was later suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for testing positive to performance-enhancing drugs (allegedly).
In the world of sports, many athletes make wise choices throughout their careers. They compete for the love of the sport itself. But others will do whatever it takes to win, even if it is unfair to other athletes and themselves. Performance-enhancing drugs have been used for decades to give athletes an extra edge over the competition. But while the use of performance-enhancing drugs can provide improved strength and focus, the drugs can also cause great pain and disgrace.
Types/Risk
There are several forms of performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic-androgenic steroids, peptide hormones and creatine. Creatine is more of a performance-enhancement supplement that can be mixed with anabolic-androgenic steroids. Nevertheless, anabolic-androgenic steroids happen to be the most damaging performance drug of all. Many variations of anabolic-androgenic steroids exist. Some are called designer drugs, an untested group of drugs consisting of synthetic steroids. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are used to promote strength and muscle mass, giving an athlete a feeling of aggressiveness and invincibility. This feeling of empowerment gives the athlete a super confidence that he can win any competition. But the use of these performance-enhancing drugs can result in numerous side effects, including liver and kidney problems, growth abnormalities, heart arrhythmias and obesity. Experimenting with performance-enhancing drugs interferes with the normal operation of the body’s metabolism. Therefore, an athlete can experience health problems later in life.
Whether in the form of pills or injections, a variety of performance-enhancing drugs are designed to maximize an athlete’s chances of giving a superhuman performance. The use of performance-enhancement drugs has been banned in many sports organizations. Bodybuilding, “yes bodybuilders” and professional wrestling organizations are also getting on the bandwagon because of the many dangers presented by using performance-enhancing drugs. However, before I forget, I am a lover of wrestling(wwe).
Fall From Grace
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has also brought disgrace to many top athletes. Among them is Marion Jones, who once held the honour as the world’s fastest woman in track and field. But when it was discovered that her success was due to the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs, her honours were revoked. In athletics last year, Tyson Gay was at the height of his career until it was discovered that he used performance-enhancing drugs. He was banned for one year after testing positive to drugs. Gay also returned the silver medal he won with the U.S. 4×100 metres relay team at the 2012 London Olympics.’
Last year, five Jamaican athletes, including Olympic medallist Asafa. tested positive to banned performance-enhancing drugs.
Some years ago, a footballer, Adrian Mutu of Chelsea was banned after he tested positive to cocaine. The question is who are those still under the influence of drugs?
Personal Best
The best choice that any athlete can make is to forsake the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs and learn to be grateful that he has the opportunity to compete on a large stage. For example, whether an athlete or in any endeavour you find yourself, give your personal best, then you are already a champion. You are a role model of perseverance, courage, hard work and dedication. Have a wonderful sporting time. Heroes are Drug Free!
Say No To Drugs.