Smoking and Drugs in sport: A temporary kick for pro-athletes?

The sporting world is inundated with cases of athletes being banned for either taking performance enhancing drugs or in some cases, taking up weed or smoking pot.

Say no to drugs!

There are numerous examples such as former England cricket captain Ian Botham or the late West Indian fast bowler Malcom Marshall, who had confessed to smoking cannabis before matches.

Other examples would include track and field star Ben Johnson or cyclist Floyd Landis, who were both banned for doping.

So, the question arises as to why athletes resort to drugs and illegal steroids, despite knowing that they risk being banned for life if caught.

A reason could be that taking up drugs or smoking weed or pot gives many athletes a temporary kick.

‘Beefy’ during his heady days!

Some researchers say that smoking cigarettes or weed has a reverse effect on an athletes stamina, which means they have unusually higher levels of endurance, which, though, lasts only for a short period of time.

In the long run, undoubtedly, there is a big risk of serious harm for athletes taking up drugs, as their careers can be cut short.

But, there are athletes like the late Brazilian footballer Socrates, who was a heavy smoker and drinker during his playing days for the ‘Selecao’, but still managed to put up impressive shows for the Brazilian team (remember his partnership with Zico in the 1982 World Cup?).

Socrates was a great player despite his smoking and drinking habits, seen here with another Brazilian great Zico

But it was a different story that post retirement Socrates faced, suffering from many health issues like haemorrages, which also led to his death.

Weed, cannabis or even cigarettes are well known to reduce concentration levels and do sap out an athlete’s stamina.

Hence people taking up a sport at any level, be it professional or not, can well take solace from the fact that it is better to try hard and lose in sport, than to take up drugs and lose in life!