Edition
6/2000
IEA is
pleased to present the September edition of the IEA Sport Monthly Update. This monthly publication will address topical
issues specific to the management of sport. For
free subscription to this newsletter please join our mailing list (refer home page of website, www.ieasport.com.au). The newsletter will be delivered via Email only.
We
welcome questions from subscribers which will be addressed in future editions of the
Monthly Update.
The Drug Campaign Gains Momentum
Our
Spring 2000 edition of the IEA Safer Sports Newsletter included an article by Dr Shane
Conway, President of Sports Medicine Australia, titled 'Another Step in the Long Road to a
Clean Games'. This article applauded the decision by the medical committee of the
International Olympic Committee to introduce random testing for EPO at the Sydney 2000
Olympics.
Dr.
Conway pointed out however, that the testing would not result in a drug free games.
He stated "drug cheats are constantly searching for new and better ways to gain an
edge on the competition". Since that article we have seen 16 days of fantastic
competition and spectacle at the Sydney Olympic Games. IOC President, Juan Antonio
Samaranch declared at the closing ceremony that these were the best games conducted in the
history of the modern Olympics. |
|
However if there
has been one black cloud hanging over an otherwise incredibly successful event it has been
the issue of drugs in sport.
It was reported
in 'The Australian' newspaper on Thursday 28th September that "The Sydney games are
in danger of becoming remembered as the drugs Olympics as three more athletes were caught
up in doping scandals yesterday, bringing the tally to 19, with predictions of more to
come." Hopefully this will not be the case and history will remember the 2000
Games as a wonderful exhibition of athletic prowess presented via exceptional organisation
in one of the worlds most beautiful cities to an appreciative and enthusiastic
audience. However, one cannot ignore the scepticism and concern in regard to the
drug issue.
The same newspaper article reported IOC senior member Prince Albert
of Monaco as saying, "You are so willing to be enthused by these great performances
and I am the first to jump up and applaud. But at the back of the head you think
'maybe he was taking something', so that kind of tarnishes the overall
enjoyment." An article in Brisbane's 'The Sunday Mail' on 1st October is headed
"Drug Cheats Taint The Innocent". Quoting writer Trevor Grant from that
article, "It seems you can no longer simply look and admire and feel privileged to
have seen an awesome athletic performance. It's because you cannot help but ask the
question 'I wonder if....' " Grant continues "It's the legacy we've all
been left by a system that struggles to deal with cheating athletes and corrupt
officials".
....Continued page 2 |
