Australian government investigation finds illicit drugs widespread in professional sport Jessica Marszalek
From: News Limited Network
February 07, 2013 11:06AMILLEGAL drugs are widespread throughout Australian sport and are being facilitated by sports scientists, high-level coaches and sports staff, a 12-month investigation by the Australian Crime Commission has found.
Organised crime groups are also involved in the frequent practice which, in some cases, see players administered with substances not yet approved for human use.
The ACC also found evidence of "concerning" personal relationships between professional athletes and crime identities and groups that may have resulted in match fixing and the fraudulent manipulation of betting markets.
Justice Minister Jason Clare encouraged anyone involved to come forward "before you get a knock at the door''.
"The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans,'' he said.
"It's cheating but it's worse than that.
"It's cheating with the help of criminals''
The news comes as allegations circulate involving claims Essendon players were injected with unknown substances.
The ACC report says the use of peptides and hormones has been identified or is suspected in a number of professional sporting codes.
The reports says sports scientists hold an increasingly influential place at clubs.
"Some sports scientists and doctors are experimenting on professional sportspersons in an effort to determine if particular substances can improve performance without being detected."
The use of illicit drugs in some sporting codes was also considered to be "significantly higher'' than official statistics.
The Commission found organised crime was involved in the domestic distribution of PIEDs (Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs), which includes peptides and hormones, or anabolic steroids.
It said they were exploiting a loophole that meant people who supplied substances prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency code did not commit a crime, even though athletes who used the substances faced substantial sporting bans.
"If left unchecked, it is likely that organised criminals will increase their presence in the distribution of peptides and hormones in Australia,'' the report said.
Intelligence confirmed the use of peptides in major sporting codes, but there were suggestions "individuals in a range of other codes'' were also using.
Sub-elite athletes competing at state and club level were also using peptides and hormones in the hope it would give them an edge.
It said professional sport was highly vulnerable to criminal infiltration through legitimate business with sports franchises and other associations, facilitated by the lack of due diligence by clubs and sports bodies when entering into business relationships.
The Australian Sport Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and other authorities will investigate the explosive findings.
Releasing the ACC report, Mr Clare said: "Multiple athletes from a number of clubs in major Australian sporting codes are suspected of currently using or having previously used peptides, potentially constitution anti-doping rule violations.''
"Official from clubs have also been identified as administering, via injections and intravenous drips, a variety of substances.''
The head of the AFL Players’ Association say it’s possible organised crime has infiltrated the AFL.
“You know organised crime have infiltrated gyms and provision of various kinds of supplements and substances which aid performance," Players’ Association Boss Matt Finnis said.
Victoria Police raised fears this morning that Australian sporting stars could be groomed by Asian crime cartels with soccer and the Big Bash League the most likely targets.
The Western Sydney Wanderers A-League boss Lyle Gorman said there are measures in place to protect the game's integrity.
"There’s very much an education program that crosses a raft of activity, such as substances, gaming or whatever. There are serious education programs about that. We’ve also got to have faith in our governing bodies. There’s lots of governing bodies in Australia. There’s a gaming integrity group that’s being formed."
Last night, the government flagged that Australia's anti-doping agency is set to gain police-like powers to compel suspect athletes and other people to turn up for questioning and hand over documents on request.
Sports Minister Kate Lundy said a recent review of Cycling Australia conducted by former justice James Woods QC showed there was plenty of work to be done to address the challenges of doping in sport.
Senator Lundy said revelations from international cycling showed that doping could be well organised and systemic and conducted in parallel with a comprehensive testing regime.
"With doping becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is less likely that anti-doping violations will be detected through analytical means alone," she said.
In a second reading speech that was tabled in parliament on Wednesday to introduce the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2013, Senator Lundy said analytical testing would remain a fundamental and valuable means to address doping.
But the US Anti-Doping Agency was only able to establish a case against Lance Armstrong and the US Postal Service cycling team through non-analytical investigation, collecting sworn testimony and documentary evidence.
Senator Lundy said the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) currently had no power to require somebody to attend an interview or produce documents and had to rely on their cooperation.
The new bill will give ASADA the power to require someone to attend an interview or produce documents.
The ASADA chief executive will be able to issue disclosure notices requiring a person to comply, with a fine of up to $5100 for people who don't.
Senator Lundy said a key strength of ASADA's investigative capabilities was its relationship with agencies such as Customs and the Therapeutic Goods Administration. That would be strengthened with an amendment to postal legislation to allow information sharing between ASADA and Australia Post.
The legislation also gives the ASADA chief executive the ability to engage directly with sporting bodies on the issue of sanctions for those who commit doping violations.
"The message is clear - with these amendments, athletes and support persons who are involved in doping have a greater chance of being caught. People will have no option but to assist ASADA in undertaking its investigations and intelligence activities," Senator Lundy said.
Debate was adjourned.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/goverment-to-tackle-crime-in-sport/story-e6frf9jf-1226572459574
