SPORTS

Drug Use at the Summer Olympic Games
by Jennifer F., Roncalli High School, Port Saunders NF

The Sydney Summer Olympic Games will always be remembered in more ways than one --- stretching the limits and breaking the records in many competitions. However the new millennium’s first Olympics will also carry the memory for stretching the limits in something other than competition -- drug use.

It all began at the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympic Games. A promise made by an Australian hockey player Rechelle Hawkes, speaking for all the 11,000 athletes at the Olympic Games.“No drugs,” she vowed as the world watched. “Yeah right! What was she smoking?”

Artistic Gymnastics- Women’s all-around champion Andreea Raducan from Romania lost her gold medal after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Hammer Throwing- Romanian hammer thrower Mihaela Melinte tested positive for an Olympic banned drug substance. Melinte was escorted from the track as she was about to compete.

Running- Russian 400-meter runner Svetlana Pospelove, tested positive for drugs after finishing her competition.

All athletes, have an obligation to their sport, their teammates, their fans, and to themselves to both try their best and be a good sportsman. It isn't just about winning, it's about winning the right way, with honor. Athletes who use drugs fail by the example they set. They let their teammates down, they let their sport down and they let their countries down.

The Olympic Motto is,“Citius, Altius, Fortius.” It is Latin for,“Swifter, Higher, Stronger,” expressing the athletes goal of running faster, jumping higher and throwing stronger.

The idea is for athletes to reach this goal by hard work and dedication, not by any means of cheating.