Why do sportspersons take performance-enhancing drugs?
Why do sportspersons resort to performance-enhancing drugs being well aware that a positive dope test would very likely put an end to their careers?
Just a couple of days after the silver medal being won by Rajyavardhan Rathore, something very shameful has happened for India. Two of the Indian weightlifters, Pratima Kumari and Chanu, have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. This came as a shock and is a huge embarrassment for Indians. Pratima claims that she is innocent and has put all the blame on her Indian and Russian coaches. According to her, they asked her to take injections when she complained of back pain. She believes that those injections given by them are the cause of the positive dope test. God only knows the truth.
Being able to contend at the Olympics requires extensive training at par with the international standards. So much money needs to be spent on every player. There are lack of both facilities and funds in India, as such common people do not even encourage their children to pursue career in sports. They would rather see their child as a doctor or an engineer rather than a sportsperson. Thus, those few who in spite of all these odds put forth by the society do manage to reach to the Olympics are under tremendous pressure to perform and excel. And not only for the Indians, but also for each sportsperson who participates in International games, being caught in doping is a big stigma and the probable end of their careers.
Recently, I heard about a new concept called genetic doping. In this case, the substances injected alter the DNA of the person and as a result the body itself starts producing performance-enhancing chemicals. This is very difficult to deduct though I believe that experts will find a way out soon. It seems like a vicious circle to me, with players finding out new ways to fool and administrators, and experts discovering new ways to perform the tests. But in all this I wonder where has the sportsman spirit gone...is participating in the game no longer important and the players can go to any extent to win a medal.
Do the players no longer care for their reputation...What are the most probable reasons for sportspeople to resort to performance enhancing drugs, in spite of being well aware of the fact that they will test positive...Does the pressure of competition blinds them or there is any other reason...I sometimes wonder whether they are not in love with what they are doing and want a instant formula for success.
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