Opinion Today: The banned substance that led to this Olympian’s near-downfall

On the way to Tokyo, Brenda Martinez is trying to change the system.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story May 14, 2021 By Lindsay Crouse Senior Editor Brenda Martinez is an Olympian and one of the top track and field athletes in America. She was spending the pandemic training for the Tokyo Olympics when she tested positive for a banned substance last fall. The test result threatened to destroy her career. Luckily, Martinez exonerated herself by identifying the source: a contaminated prescription drug, an antidepressant. The experience opened her eyes to how difficult it is to be a so-called clean athlete in the 21st century. If you test positive for a banned substance, even as a result of contamination, the responsibility lies with you to prove your innocence. Martinez reached out to me in an effort to change the system. Yesterday, I told her story in this piece about how her experience with the medicine she needed almost drove her to self-harm. Martinez assumed that if she followed the rules, she would be safe. "I never would have thought this would happen to me," she told me. "After my test, I realized no one was going to protect me." Tackling these rules has also meant talking about her mental health history and her experience with depression, which she had never shared publicly. "I kept saying, 'I don't want to be here. I don't want to be alive. We are going to lose everything.'" she told me. "I felt like I let everyone down." To get a fuller sense of what needs to change, and how, you'll have to read the essay. I hope you'll think about Martinez's story — particularly as we head toward the Tokyo Olympics, where she hopes to race — and get a fuller sense of what it means to be an Olympian today. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Michelle Groskopf for The New York Times Lindsay Crouse Antidepressants Almost Cost This Olympian Her Career Brenda Martinez, one of the top track and field athletes in the United States, inadvertently tested positive for a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. By Lindsay Crouse Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Who Should Lead New York City? Here are the mayoral candidates in their own words, so voters can make up their own minds. On the News Bret stephens For the Sake of Peace, Israel Must Rout Hamas The goal of U.S. policy is to support Israel's efforts to defang, deflate and ultimately disempower the terrorist group. By Bret Stephens Michelle Goldberg How Republicans Could Steal the 2024 Election Liz Cheney's ouster showed that the G.O.P. is still at war with democracy. By Michelle Goldberg Ideas Paul Krugman Krugman Wonks Out: Return of the Monetary Cockroaches Old fallacies make a comeback, this time with added technobabble. By Paul Krugman Guest Essay Should Two- and Four-Year Degrees Be Free? Reviving higher education in America requires a holistic solution that ends student debt and restores dignity to educators. By Stephen Adair and Colena Sesanker David Brooks This Is How Wokeness Ends The meritocracy beats the radicals. By David Brooks Guest Essay Ellen's Relatability Was Her Downfall The widening gulf between the talk show host's approachable shtick and her actual self created an impossible cognitive dissonance. By Amil Niazi Paul Krugman What Do Used Car Prices Say About Biden's Agenda? What did we learn from April's inflation report? Not much. By Paul Krugman Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT What You're Saying letters Why I Am Not Vaccinated A reader says her decision was not made lightly, and considered the welfare of others. Also: How Republican poll watchers curtail the vote. letters Clashing Views on Israel and Gaza The new violence between Israel and the Palestinians has prompted an outpouring of responses to news and opinion articles. Here is a sampling. SUBSCRIBE TODAY New York Times Opinion highlights a range of perspectives and voices. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider supporting The Times with this special offer. Games Here is today's Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Contact Us If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018