Sports cream cited as reason of death for high school track star
I try to keep things as light-hearted as possible here at Hat Trick, but one of today’s headlines on Sports Illustrated’s website (linked from CNN.com) really caught my attention. Arielle Newman, a budding young star in track and field at Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, died abruptly in her sleep on April 3rd.
The cause of death? High levels of methyl salicylate, a substance commonly found in sports creams used to soothe sore legs after running or exercising. From the article:
The medical examiner’s spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, said the teen used “topical medication to excess.” She said it was the first time that her office had reported a death from using a sports cream.
This death is not only tragic beyond words, but is also frightening to think of sports in a larger context. High school sports are rapidly catching up to both collegiate and professional sports in the usage of steroids and other performancing-enhancing substances. And while sports creams don’t qualify as a performance-enhancing substance, it is still a foreign substance that is being absorbed - in Newman’s case to a lethal amount - into these still-developing young bodies.
Unfortunately, I feel that Newman’s case will not be enough to drive parents and athletes to call for change. Virtually every year there are stories of high school athletes dropping dead on the practice field, or killing themselves because of depression caused by excessive steroid usage. But it all seems to fall on deaf ears. And with that, we continue to lose bright young athletes, and more importantly, bright young people.
(Thank you to reader Caity for correcting the date.)
Categories: arielle newman, track and field
Comments (4)
4 Comments | Add yours
Leave a Reply
Comments that do not abide by our Comments Policy may be deleted.
Feed for Hat Trick
she died april 3rd, not april 13th.
Sports creams are safe when used in small dosages, and not every day. Often, I see athletes bathing in analgesics prior to running, or playing their sport. This hides the pain long enough for the athlete to compete in the contest and further damage themselves…
Sports creams provide job security for me. Because athletes who mask their pain just damage their bodies and have to undergo surgery, physical therapy… a lot more injury and heartache than necessary.
I would urge the family to educate the school/ coaches on proper usage of these creams.
My prayers are with them as they (and the sports community along with them) mourn the loss of this vibrant young lady.
This is a very bizarre but sad story. For someone to lose their life to sports cream is, well quiet simply beyond unbelievable.
It goes without saying though that yougner and younger children are been pushed harder by their parents in all areas of their life, not just sport.Competition is at higher levels than its ever been, this probably wont be the last incident like this.
it might be a good idea to rethink the way we look at sport at the highest level, cause this is not what we want, kids dying after going to the extreme.