Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has revealed that he was offered performance-enhancing drugs during his time at Chelsea but chose to reject them.
In light of Mykhailo Mudryk’s recent failed drug test, Mikel shared his experience, stating the importance of caution when it comes to nutrition and substances in sports.
Mikel, who played for Chelsea for 11 years and was part of the club’s golden era, explained that during his career, friends and acquaintances would occasionally offer him substances that promised to improve his performance.
However, he always asked what the substance was and if it was legal before deciding to reject it. He stressed that athletes must take responsibility for what they put in their bodies and be careful about the influence of others.
“For him (Mudryk) and his family, I hope he is innocent,”Mikel said on the Obi One podcast.
“I remember when we were playing, if someone is offering me something, I will ask you what it is.
“I’m responsible for what I put in my body, what I eat, and stuff like that. People around will offer you stuff－friends, friends of friends－they will tell you that this will give you this or it will give you one or two more per cent in your performances, and I’m like what is this? Is this legal?
“I tell them to go away, I don’t want to talk about it. We have to take responsibility for our actions and what we eat. But for now, Mudryk is innocent until proven guilty.”
He also pointed out that if Mudryk is found guilty of doping, he would be the first Chelsea player in a long time to face such an issue, with the possibility of a four-year ban that could jeopardise his career.
