Netflix’s "Olympo" Season Finale Plunges into Doping Scandal, betrayal

A shocking doping conspiracy unravels in the season finale of Netflix’s "Olympo," testing the limits of ambition.

The Netflix series "Olympo," from the producers of "Elite," concludes its season with a whirlwind of doping allegations, betrayals, and personal crises among young athletes at Spain’s Pirineos High Performance Center. The quest for Olympic gold takes a dark turn as the athletes grapple with the pressures of competition and the unethical practices of the very organizations meant to support them.

A High-Stakes Game: Sponsorship vs. Integrity

The series follows a group of young adults training at the Pirineros High Performance Center in Spain, all striving for World cup titles and Olympic glory. Sponsorship from the clothing brand Olympo is the golden ticket, providing recognition and resources essential for reaching the next level. As one athlete puts it, "No one gets to the olympics without sponsorship," highlighting the intense pressure to secure these coveted endorsements.

Athletes face immense pressure to secure sponsorships.
Olympo’s endorsements are vital for career advancement.
The pursuit of glory overshadows ethical considerations.

Did you know?-The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sports internationally.

Undetectable Drugs and a Homophobic Attack

The penultimate episode reveals a shocking truth: several athletes have been given performance-enhancing drugs, with the HPC colluding with Olympo to test these substances on promising prospects. The drugs are undetectable, posing a grave threat to the integrity of competitive sports. The episode also features a violent confrontation after Charly directs homophobic slurs at his gay rugby teammate, Roque. Roque, who was given the drugs to heal his broken hand, retaliates, leading to severe injuries for both.

Betrayal and Forced Choices

Amaia, the protagonist, is resolute to expose the school and sports organization Olympo for drugging athletes, alerting the anti-doping administration and pushing for blood tests. However, the blood tests come back negative, allowing athletes like Nuria to participate despite taking the drug. This sets the stage for a series of betrayals, as Olympo executives manipulate the athletes. Jana forces Nuria to choose Peque over Amaia,showcasing the ruthless tactics employed to silence dissent. Zoe loses her sponsorship for refusing to take the drug, despite winning her race.

Reader question:-Do you think the pressure on young athletes to succeed is too high? How can the system better support thier well-being? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Pinkwashing and a Sample of the Untraceable Drug

Roque,feeling exploited and used as a token gay athlete in what he sees as Olympo’s pinkwashing strategy,joins forces with Zoe and Cristian to expose the truth. Zoe manages to secure a sample of the drug, providing potential evidence of Olympo’s unethical practices.

Amaia’s Descent and a Dramatic Cliffhanger

On the day of the synchronized swimming competition, Amaia shocks everyone by performing alongside Nuria. Their performance is flawless, surpassing all expectations. this leads to the devastating realization that Amaia has succumbed to the pressure and taken the drug. Zoe,heartbroken,delivers the drug sample to the anti-doping association. Though, before Amaia can leave the pool, she experiences a severe reaction to the drug and collapses, sinking to the bottom as the season concludes.

The fight against Olympo may not be over, but Amaia’s fall and Zoe’s evidence is sure to break the entire fight wide open in the next season of Olympo.

The Fallout: Examining the Wider Impact of the “Olympo” Scandal

The gripping finale of “Olympo” leaves viewers pondering not just the fate of individual athletes but also the broader implications of the doping scandal. The series deftly spotlights how the pursuit of athletic excellence can create a breeding ground for unethical behavior.This section will dive deeper into the long-term effects of doping on athletes,the integrity of sports,and the measures being taken to combat it.

The series’ portrayal of the pressures faced by athletes – especially the younger ones training at the Pirineos High Performance center – is a stark reminder of the human cost of the quest for Olympic glory. as seen with Amaia and others, the psychological toll of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) can lead to devastating consequences. Furthermore, the use of undetectable drugs, a central plot point, underscores the elegant methods used to cheat the system and avoid detection.

The actions of the clothing brand Olympo, the HPC, and other organizations in the series highlight the dangers of prioritizing profit and prestige over the health and well-being of athletes. We see how Olympo uses its influence to control sponsorship, forcing athletes into a corner. The show exposes the corruption that can fester when financial gain is the primary motivator,as ZoeS experience with losing her sponsorship shows,and how it directly harms those involved.

The Aftermath for Athletes

The consequences faced by athletes who use PEDs extend far beyond immediate health risks. The damage from drugs can be life-altering and severe. Here are some key effects:

Physical Health: Liver damage, cardiovascular problems, hormonal imbalances, and other serious conditions are common.
Mental Health: Depression,anxiety,and suicidal ideation are often prevalent.
Reputational damage: A doping conviction can lead to the loss of sponsorships, endorsements, and career opportunities.
Social Isolation: Athletes may face ostracism from peers and the wider community.
Long-Term Health Issues: Manny PEDs have long-term health implications that can continue to affect athletes long after they retire.

The choices made by athletes like Amaia are often born out of desperation. These athletes frequently face immense external pressure from coaches, parents, and sponsors, increasing their vulnerability.

Did you know? the World Anti-Doping Code is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies in sport across the globe, according to the World Anti-Doping agency (WADA).

The Integrity of Sports

The ethical decline presented in “olympo” poses a threat to the integrity of sports. The use of PEDs undermines fair play and the fundamental values of competition. When athletes are not competing on a level playing field, the value of records, achievements, and victories is diminished. This erodes the trust that fans and the public place in sports, which can lead to:

Loss of Public Trust: Fans become disillusioned when they perceive that results are not based on fair competition.
Damage to the Sporting Culture: The emphasis shifts from the dedication and hard work to shortcuts.
Diminished Value of Athletic Achievements: Records and accomplishments become suspect.
Decline in Fan Engagement: People tend to lose interest and become less likely to follow or support sports if they lose faith in it.
Reduced Sponsorship and revenue: Sponsors might lose interest in supporting sports that are perceived as corrupted.

What’s next for “Olympo” and its characters? Following the cliffhanger, the next season of “Olympo” coudl be an explosive investigation into this widespread doping ring. The sample of the drug that Zoe has is key to bringing the system down from the inside.

Moreover, Roque’s and Zoe’s combined willingness to expose Olympo’s behavior shows that fighting back is possible. The series highlights the importance of athletes like Zoe refusing to compromise their values and taking a stand.

Fighting Back: Anti-Doping Measures

The fight against doping is an ongoing battle, but organizations worldwide are taking significant steps to protect the integrity of sports. This work includes:

WADA: The World Anti-Doping Agency sets the global standards for anti-doping.WADA is dedicated to a drug-free sports habitat, and it provides education to prevent doping.
Strict Testing: Regular and random drug testing is used to detect PEDs. The technology and techniques are always being updated.
Education and Awareness: Programs educate athletes, coaches, and support staff about the dangers of doping and the value of fair play.
Policy Implementation: The implementation of the World anti-Doping Code is a key part of all international sporting organizations.
Collaboration: Partnerships between sports organizations, governments, and law enforcement agencies are vital to fight doping.

How effective has anti-doping been? Anti-doping measures have had mixed results with varying success with different substances and athletes. The fight against doping is an ongoing one, needing constant adjustments to keep up with evolving methods of cheating.

looking Ahead

“Olympo” offers a powerful reminder of the ethical challenges in competitive sports. As the series progresses, the audience will have to consider the future of the athletes and the consequences of their actions, the lasting impression of the doping scandal, and the need for an improved approach to the well-being of athletes and the integrity of sports. The show’s exploration of pinkwashing, as exhibited by Roque’s experience, opens further complex conversations about the intersection of social issues and the sports world.

Table of Contents