Orgasm, anyone?

At the peak of training, athletes shun social life even before corona forced social distancing. The most resolute avoid and disengage distracting relationships, abstain from physical intimacy for victory. Better than sex?

Looks like it, as some even cheat even if it means death. A foreign poll revealed 80% of athletes would take drugs that guarantee winning but kill them years after. Chilling, what is it about winning that athletes trade their life, limb and liberty for?

High profile cases attest they are willing to risk legacy of fame, and be remembered for shame. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson lost his 100meter Olympic gold and world record for using steroids and was later banned permanently for recidivism. Cyclist Lance Armstrong severed seven Tour de France titles after admitting to doping he later described the colossal meltdown in the history of sport.

The whack heard around the world in 1994 still resonates. American figure skater Tonya Harding pleaded guilty to withholding from prosecution what she knew about the conspiracy to kneecap her rival Nancy Kerrigan for a motivation of idiotic proportion – prevent her from competing in the Winter Olympics.

Winning must be everything, a sensation like no other emoted in different body languages, some in signature form – Rafael Nadal falls on his back, Usain Bolt aims imaginary bow-and-arrow. Don’t be confused, he is a sprinter, not an archer, never went to La Salle either.

Serena Williams has variety, more authentic the first time she won a slam but lately reacts over the top, like she has never been the woman on top. If her antics irk, look at winners who motion the crowd with lips and finger to be quiet. Shhh, we are in the library where students pretend to study.

Jumping, crying and screaming aside, winners fall on their knees, punch the air, drop their jaw or clasp their head, clutch their heart or pound their chest, clench or raise their fist to celebrate, at one time in protest against racial hate.

At the 1968 Olympics medal ceremony, black Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos, 200m dash gold and bronze medalists, stood atop the podium, heads bowed and fists raised in black power salute to protest America’s discrimination against people of color. Then controversial, now iconic.

A gesture Asian athlete may never do, unless an activist Filipino. Asians were notorious for being timid hence subdued, boring even, in reacting to winning. On a lucky day, they unzip half a smile and that’s it, celebration over, back to the trainer. Carlos Yulo smiled wide when he struck gold in gymnastics worlds. Unfair, he didn’t flip midair, but why repeat a routine so exquisite only to fumble the tumble? But hey, you just became world champ kid, no one in your country ever did.

In recent years, Asians slowly opened up, more festive and expressive, few overdoing it. Regardless, celebration has many faces. Who are we to dictate how? It’s cultural. Also, it stuns the athletes in disbelief hence their reaction doesn’t toe a script. And relief, after training in isolation finally comes to triumphant conclusion.

A source of infinite pride and power, winning immortalizes athletes in the annals of sports pinnacle. Sentimental too, dedicated to family and country, or in honor of someone’s memory. Beating all others is the sweetest, most exciting fulfillment, a fitting climax to all sweat, blood and tears, in whatever order. Brief but feels eternal, done but never gone. Orgasmic.