Ian Thorpe and drug testing

The Australian freestyle swimmer Ian Thorpe throughout his competitive career has long been the target of criticism that his exploits have been fuelled by use of performancing enhancing steroids. He has also been a prominent critic of the drug policies used by the World Anti-Doping Agency and FINA, the governing body of world swimming.

2000 German allegations

In 2000, Thorpe embarked on a European FINA World Cup tour in order to hone his racecraft prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics, but was overshadowed by comments made by German head coach Manfred Thiesmann. Thiesmann implied that Thorpe was using steroids, stating "We all know Lamberti was pumped up and his times stood for ages, but Thorpe is not only passing them - he's passing them by seconds." Talbot (2003) p. 156.] The Australian delegation pointed to Thorpe's clean record, while "Swimming World" editor-in-chief Phillip Whitten stated his belief that Thorpe was clean: "There is absolutely no reason to suspect Ian Thorpe is doping. Detailed underwater stroke analysis shows he has extraordinary technique. In addition, he exhibits none of the physical signs of drug use. His physical attributes, natural talent, excellent coaching and superior technique account entirely for his superb performances."cite news |title = World Cup VIII: German Coach Accuses Thorpe of Doping |url = http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1192.asp |publisher = Swimming World Magazine |date = 2000-02-03 |accessdate = 2006-11-21 |language = ] Thorpe's difficulties heightened at the subsequent German leg of the tour in Berlin, when he and American backstroke World Champion Lenny Krayzelburg were drug-tested. Unable to locate the required containers, the testing officials asked the swimmers for permission to have their samples left unsealed in a fridge overnight against the security protocol for drug testing, permission that was refused by the Australian and US officials. After a tense standoff, a compromise was struck: German police officers were called in to take temporary responsibility for the samples. [cite news |title = Thorpe's Stand Vindicated|url = http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1235.asp |publisher = Swimming World Magazine |date = 2000-02-03 |accessdate = 2006-11-21 |language = ] Fired up by the confrontation, Thorpe proceeded to cut more than 1.5 s from his world short course record in the 200 m freestyle, receiving a standing ovation from a German crowd that disagreed with Thiesmann's comments. [cite news |title = 2000 FINA World Cup IX: World Record For Krayzelburg |url = http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1203.asp |publisher = Swimming World Magazine |date = 2000-03-01 |accessdate = 2006-11-21 |language = ] Given the context of the race, Thorpe rates this as his best-ever performance, ahead of his victories at Olympic and World level. [cite news |first=Michael|last=Cowley|title = Only now does he realise just how good he was|url =http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/only-now-does-he-realise-just-how-good-he-was/2006/11/21/1163871405610.html
publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald |date = 2006-11-22 |accessdate = 2006-11-22 |language = ]

Accusations of steroid use continued later in the year, this time from German captain Chris-Carol Bremer, who stated that "hands and feet are unusually big" due to the use of human growth hormone. [cite news |title = Huge feet cause flap |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/831211.stm |format = |publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation|date = 2000-07-13 |accessdate = 2006-11-08 |language = ] Thorpe denied the claims and called for the introduction of blood testing, promising to have a sample frozen to prove his innocence upon the discovery of such a test. Although a test for EPO was developed in time for the games, no successful test for hGh was found. [Hunter (2004), pp. 198-202.]

2007 L'Equipe allegations

On 30 March 2007, "L'Équipe", a major French daily sports newspaper, reported on its website that Thorpe showed "abnormal levels" of two banned substances in a doping test on May 2006. [Cite news |url=http://www.lequipe.fr/Aussi/breves2007/20070330_183027Dev.html |title=Natation - Dopage - Une affaire Thorpe ? |publisher=L'Équipe |language=French |date=2007-03-30] [Cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/30/ap/sportsline/main2630494.shtml |title=L'Equipe: Thorpe Doping Test 'Abnormal' |author=AP |publisher=CBS News |date=2007-03-30]

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) later confirmed that Thorpe was investigated for abnormal levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH); both naturally occurring in the body. Thorpe's elevated LH level was what caused ASADA to initially investigate (and dismiss) the test result. [cite news |url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/swimming/thorpe-likely-to-be-cleared/2007/04/05/1175366408414.html |title = Thorpe likely to be cleared |publisher= The Age |date = 2007-04-06 |accessdate= 2007-04-20] Thorpe denied the rumours in a press conference on March 31, 2007 stating "I firmly believe I am clean, I have never cheated and have always fulfilled my obligations." [Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200704/s1886783.htm |title=Thorpe maintains innocence, vows to clear name |work=Online News |publisher=Australian Broadcast Corporation |date=2007-04-01 |accessdate=2007-04-02]

On April 2, 2007, the World Anti-Doping Agency (or WADA) issued a statement [ cite news |url = http://www.wada-ama.org/en/newsarticle.ch2?articleId=3115401 |title = WADA Statement About Allegations at FINA World Championships in Melbourne |publisher= World Anti-Doping Agency |date = 2007-04-02 |accessdate= 2007-04-20] condemning the breach-of-privacy L'Equipe's announcement constituted.

Anti drugs campaign

Thorpe is prominent in the campaign against drug use, inside and outside sports. He has called for the introduction of blood testing and repeatedly criticised FINA for allegedly inadequate drug-testing procedures, claiming that "for anyone to think that they're swimming at a clean Olympic Games, they'd be naive". Although swimmers and coaches praised him, he was condemned by FINA, who accused him of bringing the sport into disrepute. [cite news |first = |last = |title = Hall backs Thorpe over drug use claims |url = http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200408/s1168739.htm |format = |publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date = 2004-08-04 |accessdate = 2006-11-10 |language = ] [Hunter (2004), p. 379.] He was also selected by the United Nations to lead an anti-recreational drugs campaign in Japan, [Hunter (2004), p. 250.] as well as promotional work for UNICEF for UN Children's Week. [Hunter (2004), p. 279.]

References