Abstract
Sudden physical ailment during swimming in a lake led to the drowning of a young athlete, despite the fact that at the moment of drowning, he found himself only 10 meters away from the bank. No pathologic changes, which could explain such an acute loss of physical power, were detected.
As the main athlete's activity had been weightlifting, it can be assumed that his health was detrimentally affected by side effects of anabolic steroids, used in contradiction to anti-doping rules as supplement for the enhancement of muscle mass and power predispositions. One of the usual side effects, especially after long-term use of anabolic steroids, is cardiotoxicity.
Several other risky situations, which can lead to drowning, are described in the article. Being aware of dangerous circumstances and following all safety measures should be indispensable before entering water, especially when planning activities with a higher level of risk.