Steroid Scandal Within The FIFA Women’s World Cup Games

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Now that the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011­™ is over, and the ladies have all packed up and gone home, I have to say for the most part that it was a fantastic competitive event. For the most part, being the key phrase in that sentence.

Ohhhh, you naughty, naughty ladies. Did you know two women of the North Korean Women’s World Cup Team had made the news for testing positive for anabolic steroids during the games?

That’s a big (huge) no-no. It’s also a big bombshell for what had been a pretty amazing competition. It’s high time you women finally get some serious respect in the world of sports; which is why when these two players from the same team tested positive, it kind of diminished all the hard work all the other women of the competition had done so far.

So, what’s going to happen to Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok Sim?

Well, for starters they were taken off the lineup, and other team members have been subjected to FIFA testing them for the banned substance.

But, does it really matter? I mean North Korea was eliminated from World Cup Competition; because of their game statistics — not because of the doping, mind you.

Maybe nothing else will happen to them. I don’t see North Korea banning them from future competition, or anything.

The two Jongs weren’t the only ones who have tested positive, either. A Colombian player tested positive two days before the official start of the World Cup.

C’mon, what’s with the steroid use? Don’t you know that all samples of your blood are tested by the World Anti-Doping Agency? They’re also tested at the German Sport University (it’s in Cologne, in case you’re wondering).

What? You know how methodical us Germans are. Did you really think we weren’t going to find it?

That’s beside the point, actually. Theo Zwanzinger (president of the German Football Federation) has said that “there’s an inhumane system in North Korea to give athletes success… which could possibly be used for propaganda purposes.”

Ouch, that was pretty harsh.

Even non-sports playing folks can appreciate everything you go through to become the best of the best in your sport. Just think how much better you’ll feel (and gain all the respect and admiration of the public) to know that you’ve won your matches (games, whatever) on the world stage, without the use of steroids or any other banned substance.

Yeah, that goes for the men too!

—Marcus

6 responses to “Steroid Scandal Within The FIFA Women’s World Cup Games”

  1. Malcom Avatar
    Malcom

    Although it is shocking that these two women tested positive for these illegal substances, it’s perhaps a little unfair to say “it kind of diminished all the hard work all the other women of the competition had done so far.” I don’t think the reputation of other competitors is at all affected by the stupidity of two isolated cases, although, who knows what pressure or back story there is to this, that made these women do such a thing.

    What is a shame though is that women have struggled for many years to be taken seriously as footballers, and instances such as this do not look good.

    And like the article says, who thought they could get away with this, in Germany of all places!

    Reply
    1. Marcus Avatar
      Marcus

      My hope is that, one day, they can prevent this before the games start.

      And yes, I’m happy that women’s football get more and more of the attention it deserves. :-)

      Reply
  2. Malcom Avatar
    Malcom

    @ Marcus

    The “prevent before it happens” is a really good point! It must be a difficult issue for the authorities to handle though or a system would already be in place, if not in women’s football, then in another of the many sports that are plagued by this issue.

    Why not have compulsory testing for all participants above a certain level, prior to the event? There must be some good argument against that or else it would be getting done, I’m just not sure what that argument could be!

    Reply
  3. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    It is absolutely shocking that these women have cheated in this manner, they have brought their entire sport into disrepute and I hope they are dealt with accordingly by the officials and their peers and colleagues.

    The German Football Assoc. comment may sound harsh but it is probably too true!

    Reply
  4. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Absolutely shocking turn of events for professional sports women to act like this. I don’t know if Theo Zwanzinger’s comments were very politically correct, but I do agree with his stand on this. Very poor.

    Reply
  5. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    so sad… everyone knows there is drug testing, how stupid do they have to be to think it won’t be noticed? if they are going to cheat they should at least get someone else’s clean urine or blood and cheat all the way (totally kidding). it really is maddening for me as a spectator because i care about the game and then when i find out people were using drugs to do well and win, it just takes all the fun out of the game for me, i don’t even want to watch anymore. :(

    Reply

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