Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s Olympic gold medalist in athletics, has advised aspiring athletes not to use drugs to enhance their performance.

Ajunwa gave the advice while addressing athletes taking part in the 4th Athletics Federation of Nigeria Golden League competition at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, at the weekend.

“You may think that these substances can help you, but they destroy you and also your career,” she said.

The Atlanta Olympics heroine also advised them to avoid taking common analgesics such as aspirin and codeine, noting that an athlete could test positive if he or she took an overdose of these pain killers.

“In the same way, you should avoid kolanut and even bitter kola minutes before any event.

“Otherwise, you will be surprised when they tell you that you have been disqualified,” she said.

The Olympian recalled her experience as an innocent victim of the ignorant abuse of substances.

She, however, said that she overcame the trauma “because it happened after I had won the gold”.

In an interview with Tide sports source, Ajunwa said corporate organisations had done much in funding athletics, but called for more sponsorship.