The Cost of Victory

By A. Hemnani

Every athlete dreams of the glory of victory, many are willing to go the extra mile and will train and do anything in their power to achieve their goal. But at what cost?

Nowadays with sports technology, scientists have been developing new ways to enhance performance in sports. These substances promise to push the boundaries of human performance, but at what cost? From problems in health to changed legacies, the cost of victory can be higher than any athlete would think. Would they still gain the glory they have always dreamt about like this? Or would they feel as if they just cheated their dream?

Although the short term benefits such as, increased muscle mass, improved recovery, fat loss, and boosted endurance may seem worth it at the time.  Have the athletes really stopped to think about the side effects this may bring in the future? In the US alone 80% of athletes that take steroids regularly, have suffered with health issues later in their career. Such as, Biochemical problems in the liver, Kidney failure and hormonal imbalance.

Unfortunately, health issues aren’t the only dilemma athletes have faced along their career using steroids. In many competitions such as the Olympics, the use of steroids have been strictly banned due to unfair advantage by enhancing performance beyond natural limits. The use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs cheats the principles of fair play and equal competition. Using steroids in the Olympics can lead to severe consequences. Athletes caught doping, face disqualification, stripped medals, and bans competing. Apart from the immediate consequences, their reputation often suffers damage, and they may loose sponsorships and financial support, leading to a potential end of their sports career.

Ben Johnson was a Jamaican-born Canadian sprinter, and gained the title as the fastest man ever! During 1987 and 1988, he became famous by setting world records in the 100 meters and 60 meters indoor races. He won gold medals at the 1987 World Championships and the 1988 Summer Olympics, where he ran the 100-meter dash in an unbelievable 9.79 seconds—breaking the world record. His career was full of amazing accomplishments and unforgettable moments. However just three days later, Johnson's urine sample tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. The International Olympic Committee stripped him of his gold medal, erased his record, and disqualified him from the Games. Ben remains a significant figure in sports history, symbolizing the dangers of chasing glory at any cost.
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Athletes often face a difficult choice between the glory of victory and fair competition. Steroids may offer short-term gains, but they bring long-term costs, damaged health and broken dreams. Victory isn't just about crossing the finish line - it's about achieving your dreams with perseverance.