Unexpected Aftermath of Olympic Glory
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Edwards faced an unexpected hurdle after their triumphant gold medal win against France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The U.S. men’s basketball team’s celebratory spirit was dampened as multiple players were subjected to doping tests during the tournament.
Victory overshadowed by drug test
On August 10, LeBron James and his star-studded squad clinched a 98-87 victory over France, securing the gold medal. However, the immediate aftermath was far from celebratory for some players. Team USA’s guard Anthony Edwards revealed that several players, including himself, Curry, and Durant, were required to undergo drug testing right after the final game.
Appearing on Kevin Durant’s podcast “The Boardroom” at the Fanatics Fest, Edwards shared the unexpected turn of events. “After the gold medal – I’m not gonna lie – me and him [Durant] had a – what do they call it? – a drug test,” Edwards recounted.
“We couldn’t even celebrate in the locker room because me, him and Steph had to take like a drug test or something,” he continued.
Edwards further disclosed that Durant was also required to take a drug test after their first game against Serbia. Durant, who scored 23 points in Team USA’s opening Olympic game, was supposed to undergo testing earlier in the tournament.
“He was supposed to get one after the first Serbia game,” Edwards added.
Curry’s stellar performance under scrutiny
Curry’s remarkable performance in the final game against France was a highlight of the tournament. He scored 24 points, all from 3-pointers, leading Team USA to its fifth consecutive gold medal in men’s basketball. Despite his stellar display, Curry was not immune to the random drug testing protocols that often follow exceptional performances.
Some fans even debated whether Curry should have been named the MVP of Olympic basketball instead of LeBron James. Curry’s outstanding performance was also evident in the semifinal game against Serbia, where he scored 36 points.
Major performances like Curry’s often subject players to random drug tests. This is not an isolated incident, as there have been several instances where NBA players were tested following extraordinary performances. For example, in February 2023, Damian Lillard was tested after scoring 71 points against the Houston Rockets.
The future of Team USA’s legends
This Olympic experience might be the first and last for Chef Curry. The Golden State Warriors star will be 40 years old when the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics commence. Similarly, LA Lakers legend LeBron James, who will also be in his 40s, expressed doubts about his participation in the next games.
“No, I can’t see myself playing in L.A., but I also didn’t see myself playing in Paris. Four years from now, no, I can’t see myself (playing at the Olympics),” James stated in a post-game interview.
Kevin Durant is also likely to sit out the next Olympics, making the 2024 Paris Games a significant chapter in the careers of these basketball icons.
A Bittersweet Victory
While Team USA’s gold medal win at the Paris Olympics was a moment of pride, the immediate drug tests cast a shadow over the celebration. The stringent doping protocols highlight the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the sport, even at the cost of post-victory jubilation.