The
Drug Campaign Gains Momentum...
The
number of drug incidents obviously does detract from the Sydney games,
but it is a good thing that the people concerned are being
caught. It does show that the controls and tests are
working. The penalties for testing positive at the Olympic games
level are high, as Romanian gold medal winning gymnast Andreea Raducan,
who lost her gold medal when testing positive to the banned drug
pseudoephedrine given to her in error by her team physician via a
cold tablet, will attest. IOC director-general Francois Carrard,
commenting on this case stated, "In the fight against doping we
have to be tough and refrain from emotions and feelings. We have
applied the law, and she is disqualified and her medal for that event
has to be returned. We are now in a new world as far as the
fight against doping is concerned."
As
hard as that may seem in this particular case, it is encouraging to
see strong action being taken. Australia has been a campaigner
for many years in the fight against drugs in sport and it does seem
that the level of determination to combat the drug disease has
increased considerably.
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China
cut 27 athletes from it's Olympic Games squad prior to the games due
to drug breaches. At the time there were those who were cynical
as to their motivation for this action, but the fact remains that the
country was prepared to take its toughest stand yet and they should be
applauded and encouraged for their stance.
United
States track and field officials have handed over names, documents and
positive test results to an independent investigator, it was
revealed in 'The Australian' on 30th September 2000. The move
came as 'The Australian' obtained documents showing that of 207
positive drug tests returned last year in the US, only 10 resulted in
suspensions, and as USA Track and Field conceded a loss of confidence
in it's handling of positive drug tests. USA Track and Field
chief executive Craig Masback said that a special commission would
investigate 15 cases of US athletes testing positive in the past 18
months. Mr Masback denied any cover-up of the cases, but said
the special commission would hopefully appease the concern of
cover-ups.
So
there is increased activity in the crusade. Hopefully this
activity will not dissipate now that the Olympic games are
completed. Sport administrators must ensure the momentum is
maintained, or better still increased.
....Continued page 3
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