Parents force their children to use doping: scandal shakes American sports

The case of track and field coach Michael Vowell being permanently banned from practicing for forcing his son - Seth Vowell (16 years old) to use doping (banned substances) shocked the American sports world.

The American athletics village was shocked by this scandal - Photo: USADA

The heartbreaking incident

The US Anti-Doping Agency recently officially convicted coach Michael Vowell and his son Seth Vowell of using doping at a youth tournament.

It is worth mentioning that Mr. Michael (49 years old), who is also his son's coach, used his own testosterone gel to inject his son when he participated in the Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships.

According to USADA, the incident began with an anonymous tip-off. After investigating, they discovered that on December 10, 2023, at a tournament in Texas, Michael used testosterone gel - a substance in the Anabolic Agents group that is absolutely banned, and then applied it directly to his son's body to increase his performance.

He was also convicted of possessing and assisting in the use of banned substances, both serious offenses under USADA and WADA regulations.

Coach Michael has accepted a life ban. Seth, despite being a minor, has received a reduced two-year suspended sentence. All of Seth’s achievements from December 10, 2023, onwards have been voided, including a series of medals and high school records.

More and more American athletes are banned for doping - Photo: PA

Travis T. Tygart, USADA's chief executive, called it a "heartbreaking example" and stressed: "Coaches, parents and support staff for underage athletes must put the interests and safety of their children first. We cannot allow children to be harmed."

Mr. Tygart also warned that doping abuse among minors not only violates sports regulations, but also poses risks to children's mental health, morality and overall development.

The fear of achievement disease

Running Magazine (Canada) and international sports sites such as The Sports Examiner all quoted accurate information from USADA, emphasizing that the incident stemmed from an internal complaint.

An article on sports discussion board Let's Run commented that the incident is even more worrying because "it is very easy for parents to support their children in doping, even with normal achievements."

"How many such cases are there in American athletics? Probably many. Vowell's case is certainly not unique," the article warned.

For a long time, the American people have begun to doubt the integrity of high school and college sports, when young athletes are increasingly given more privileges in the field of education .

"You should know that cheating in school sports will bring even greater benefits than in the Olympics. In the Olympics, cheating brings medals and bonuses to the stars - things they don't lack.

In school sports, cheating gives you the chance to get into the world's top universities," a Let's Run reader commented.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phu-huynh-ep-con-dung-doping-be-boi-chan-dong-the-thao-my-20250702135234724.htm