The purple faces of USA swimmers have sparked allegations of them doping at the 2024 Olympics
In the midst of Paris Olympics games, several pictures of American swimmer surfaced online sparking a serious discussion online. Not sure what we’re taking about? Fret not, here’s the information:
Recently, social media platforms has been flooded with viral pictures of numerous American swimmers displaying a purple discoloration on their faces.
After witnessing such pictures of Paris Olympics athletes, online users are concern and some even started claiming that it might be due to drugs!
Why are the faces of USA swimmers purple in color and are the Americans indulge in doping at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Although, it’s crucial not to jump to conclusions based solely on a subject opinion, however, this phenomenon has garnered significant attention online from the Olympic fans and critics.
Calista Liu (Korean-American), one of the US women's artistic swimmers who won the silver medal yesterday, tested positive for doping before the match.
🇺🇸"She said it was her dad's eye drops. So we believe her. As for the Chinese swimmers, we'll let the FBI investigate them!"😠 pic.twitter.com/QzOm0ZRDDU
— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) August 9, 2024
What Exactly Happened?
The matter came to the light after a sport video vlogger, Fares Ksebati, addressed the issue in a now-viral YouTube video. Explaining the facial discoloration of American Olympic swimmers, Fares Ksebati, emphasized that facial discoloration often linked to heart and lung function, with the purple hue resulting from the intensity of the exercise.
In his statement, Ksebati said, “After high-intensity exercise, energy is converted into heat, and the body attempts to regulate temperature by dilating facial blood vessels, which can cause a red or purple appearance. This discoloration typically lasts a few minutes but is usually temporary and harmless.”
He also mentioned that environmental factors can also play a significant role and the physical demands of swimming could influence this change in skin color.
Moreover, he suggested that the discoloration might be a skin condition, Rosacea, which is treatable.
What's going on with the faces of the American swim team? All turned Thanos purple, while the Chinese swimmers' faces stayed pretty normal! Don't bring up genetics, because Torri Huske has Chinese ancestry, and other white athletes look perfectly fine! #Olympia2024 #PanZhanle pic.twitter.com/8xHqfTmGTZ
— Matthew Ma (@supermatthewma) August 2, 2024
Social Media User’s Reaction
However, many viewers in the now-viral video’s comment section expressed skepticism. One such user, who goes by the name Elleteo, who claims to be a medical professional, commented “Rosacea is not a convincing explanation.
“This looks more like a reaction to a steroid analog that can cause similar effects but might evade standard testing.” Another one added, “It’s strange that only these swimmers turned purple this year, whereas they appeared normal in last year’s race photos.”
After the matter went viral, a rehabilitation therapist from the National health commission, Luo Chaofan, came forward and told the media that the discoloration might be due to hypoxia.
Explaining his theory, Chaofan, stated that during the high intensity sports, the body’s demand for oxygen increases significantly. If an athlete cannot replenish oxygen in time, it can cause hypoxia, leading to a purple face.
He furthermore added that although the condition is “typically temporary,” adding it “resolves quickly once the athlete tests and adjust their breathing.”
American swimmers with purple face at Paris #Olympics
What’s going on, gringos? 😆
Steroids working over time? Everyone got exemption for “asthma”? pic.twitter.com/Xcq5W7Hvwr
— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) August 7, 2024
However, the matter escalated online, when users found some swimmers on the American team remained discolored even during the Award ceremony.
To which Luo Chaofan explained that stimulants like ephedrine and phentermine, could also lead to facial redness and purple discoloration.
He emphasized that these drugs are used legitimately for treatment and weight loss, however, social media users are claiming that these drugs might also be misused for performance enhancement.
After the growing and heated discussion online, Olympics fans have raised questions about the limited number of doping test conducted on American athletes.
ALSO READ: Sourav Singh LLB opens up after his new daru pikar boy full video goes viral on Instagram