What the Chinese press say
IN the world of sports, news of athletes consuming prohibited drugs before a competition and then getting caught during the pre-match testing is not new or unheard of.
Perhaps the Malaysian sports world has always been more ‘innocent’ compared to other foreign countries, so when word regarding our athletes failing to pass drug tests gets out, it shocks many.
On the eve of Deepavali, the startling news of Datuk Lee Chong Wei testing positive for banned substances led to a frenzy.
Did Lee Chong Wei truly consume banned substances? Lee himself knows best. Is he guilty or innocent? It will only be clear when the investigation report is released. So we should not jump to conclusions and find him guilty without a trial.
However, for professional athletes such negative rumours will certainly have an impact on their reputation and be a disgrace.
Therefore, once a player has decided to violate regulations such as consuming prohibited substances, they are mentally prepared to bear the consequences, from being stripped of medals to suspension, and even maybe bringing their careers to an end. What’s worse is they would have disappointed their loyal supporters who had high hopes for them.
Looking back at past records, once they have tested positive for drugs, many athletes would stand their ground and use ignorance as a reason for their defence.
Okay, let’s assume they indeed consumed something that contained traces of banned substances, just like the athlete from China who claimed he ate a bowl of beef noodles, which contained livestock growth promoting agents after he did not pass a drugs screening.
If in fact the diet of athletes could affect the results of drugs tests, then why would professional athletes who are ready to compete, especially at large scale international events, not realise what they are consuming?
Should the coaches who supervise, and by right also deal with their rigorous diets, assume responsibility for the trouble caused by athletes’ diets?
Professional athletes have always been associated with both fame and fortune – they are the focus of attention both inside and outside the sporting arena.
As we are not athletes, we would not understand what they are going through – the psychological pressure on their shoulders to win or break records, the physical pain and fatigue they need to deal with after a competition and also the public pressure they face after losing.
So, why do athletes still take such risks after so many past incidents? Why do they ignore the warning signs and still continue on the path of no return? Maybe this is simply because the athletes cannot afford to lose? But what could be so important that athletes would want to risk their careers?
This could be due to the gradual loss of the commendable sporting spirit in many events, and also because the athletes themselves are faced with too many external factors that affect their professional attitude, causing the game to lose its significance.
When medals and world rankings have become the main criteria of measuring athletes’ skills, as well as the standard for determining athletes’ bonuses and rewards or even endorsement opportunities, athletes are only left with the option of winning.
As athletes, you may pursue fame and fortune for your own benefit, or glory for your country.
However, if during the process any mistakes are made including ‘accidentally’ taking prohibited drugs and so on, you may have won the match but lost the spirit of sportsmanship, and that is indeed a true loss.
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