The white performance powder were watching for at the World Cup after it caused buzz at NBA Finals
It didn’t take long for Knicks fans to get an early surprise in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs.As guard Josh Hart’s name was announced, cameras caught the 31-year-old taking a quick sniff from a small black tube before jogging onto the court.The moment immediately set social media buzzing, with viewers speculating Hart had just taken a hit of smelling salts — and he wouldn’t be the only one.The pungent inhalants have become a familiar pregame ritual across American sports and around the world, with athletes swearing by them as a quick way to achieve a mental edge.San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini and Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns have all been caught on camera taking a whiff of what appears to be smelling salts during games (though they haven’t confirmed that’s what they’re using).The habit has deep roots in football, powerlifting and hockey, but experts say that they are increasingly being spotted in the hands of soccer players.Premier League stars like Everton’s Richarlison and Mason Holgate have been spotted inhaling the powder in the tunnel before kickoff, while rumors swirled that US national team defender Walker Zimmerman did the same during a 2022 showdown with Mexico.The trend has even reached soccer’s biggest stage.
After Russia’s surprise run to the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals, the team’s doctor was left answering questions about his players’ use of the substances.With the next World Cup underway, a number of players set to take the field — including England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford — have been seen using smelling salts in the past.So what exactly are these inhalants, and why do they stir debate? The Post spoke with three experts to find out.They’re over-the-counter inhalants made from a mixture of ammonia and other chemicals that deliver a powerful, nose-burning jolt.The most common version comes in a small dark plastic bottle filled with a whit...