The tragic death of bodybuilding star Neil Currey at 34

The fitness and bodybuilding community was shaken in September 2023 by the untimely death of 34-year-old Neil Currey, a former Mr. Olympia competitor.

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Known for his impressive physique and passion for bodybuilding, Currey was found unresponsive in his flat in Sheffield. His death was attributed to a deadly mix of stimulant drugs compounded by the prolonged effects of steroid use on his body, an inquest into his death found in April 2024, the BBC reported.

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Currey’s tragic passing has since sparked conversations about the pressures of professional bodybuilding, the toll it takes on mental and physical health, and the dark side of performance-enhancing drugs.

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At an inquest held at Sheffield’s Medico-Legal Centre, it was revealed that his reliance on substances, including steroids, had deeply impacted his health and contributed to his sudden death, the BBC reported.

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Neil Currey's journey into bodybuilding began with a love for sports that started in his youth. His parents, Nigel and Sandra Currey, shared during the inquest that their son had always been athletic. He played football until the age of 17 and later pursued a degree in sports at the University of Bath, where his passion for fitness continued to grow, as Essentially Sports reported.

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After completing his studies, Currey worked as a personal trainer for Fitness First, a career that would eventually lead him down the path of professional bodybuilding.

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Currey was ambitious, setting high goals for himself in the world of competitive bodybuilding. In 2022, Currey took part in the annual Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, one of the most respected competitions in the sport. But beneath his success, Currey faced personal struggles.

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Bodybuilding is notorious for its intense pressure on competitors to maintain a certain physique. Currey’s parents disclosed at the inquest that he had struggled with his height-to-weight ratio, which led to his dependency on anabolic steroids, the BBC reported. While steroids are a well-known shortcut for achieving muscle mass and definition, their long-term use can have devastating effects on the body.

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Over time, Currey’s reliance on steroids, combined with his use of other harmful substances, took a toll on his health. The inquest revealed that the chemicals had a particularly detrimental effect on his mental health.

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His parents, in their testimony, expressed how the chemicals had affected their son’s mental health. They described how the sport, while fulfilling Currey's dreams, had also driven him to rely on substances that eventually contributed to his demise.

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Currey was a beloved and prominent figure of the bodybuilding community, and his death continues to be felt among his peers.

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Fouad Abiad, a well-known Canadian bodybuilder, mourned Currey's loss in 2023, saying on Instagram that "his work ethic was second to none and he had great untapped potential."

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While Serbian bodybuilder Milos Sarcev shared a positive memory of Currey on social media in the wake of his death. "My last and best memory of him was that smiling face after winning the New York Pro and realizing his dream of qualifying for the Mr. Olympia."

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As the bodybuilding world continues to mourn the loss of a talented athlete, Currey's story serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support and the need for greater awareness of the dangers posed by drug use in sports.

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