I saw Elton Janjies getting banned for 4 years and it made me want to explore this issue. I don't quite understand why - apart from the obvious one - this is done. Athletes should know that doping isn't a magic trick that can immediately disappear with a simple snap of the fingers. This is the real world and not the Marvel Cinematic Universe where every athlete has their very own Infinity Gauntlet.
Sooner or later, people will start talking and then accusations will then arise. I don't understand why, when faced with the accusations, they choose to deny them and only come clean when there's overwhelming evidence against them. To me, every athlete aspires to be role models to the up and rising stars.
What these so called 'role models' are doing is saying to the young that it's okay to take drugs to win and that it's perfectly fine to lie. This is definitely not the case. Taking drugs and lying is like a perfect storm for chaos. To me, admitting a wrongdoing in the begginning is way better than admitting at the very end. This is because, although they've done something wrong, they're immediately owning up to making a mistake. It is also time to make amends at the most earliest of stages.
However, this has never been the case. Every athlete in the past, whether it be Marion Jones or Lance Armstrong, have stuck to their guns of denial until the very end. The story of the latter is of particular sadness and tradegy. Overcoming cancer and winning seven consecutive Tour De France yellow jersrys' is an incredible achievement and an inspirational story. However, learning how he achieved this leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
This leads me to the next point. A particular athlete who has been caught doping will always be known by that. They could break all kinds of records and reach remarkable achievements but that could all change when they have been caught doping. When this happens, all their records and achievements will disappear both figuratively and literally. Their names and faces will forever be associated with their respective scandals. Nothing will change that.
Although athletes can take untraceable substances or ones that leaves the body quickly, there's always going to be some form of traceable evidence. One excuse that is usually used but never holds up is taking it by accident. If that excuse were to at one point to be accepted, hell must have frozen over and pigs will be dominating the skies. In another recent case, Paul Pogba had been identified to be taking testosterone after both an intial analysis and a counter-analysis. The reason given was that it was contained within a dietary supplement. The varying degrees of punishment depends on the need of it. The punishment ranges from 4 years to a few months. Even this isn't acceptable in my eyes.
I tend to wonder if these athletes are aware that there are health risks involved in doping. These differ in terms of what drug you take, dosage and duration. When taking stimulants, risks include heart problems and panic attacks. Taking anabolic steroid, risks include deepening of the voice and change in the menstrual cycle (for women) and breast growth and shrinked testacles can occur (for men). While taking human growth hormones risks hypertention and heart attacks (Healthdirect, 2023).
It's not just health risks that can take place. There are also psychological risks (depression and loss of self-identity); social risks (isolation and public embarrasment); financial risks (loss of grants and funds) and damaged relationship risks (family, friends and disappointment and shame) (IADO, no date).
All in all, doping, to me, is a coward's way to winning. Those who dope are hopeless sore losers. It's pathetic to even think about. Those who reach the highest level should be grateful for reaching that point. Taking risks such as doping is a massive insult to those who helped him/her on their way there. Doping is like going back to square one when everything comes crumbling down. When that happens, they might find themselves alone. When reaching the top, they might cut everyone they know out of their lives (hence the social and relationship risks). It is high risk and no reward at the end of the day.
Reference List:
Healthdirect. (2023). Drugs in sport. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drugs-in-sport (Accessed: 21 January 2024).
IADO. (no date). Consequences of Doping. Available at: https://iado.id/h/index.php/en/consequences-of-doping/ (Accessed: 21 January 2024).