Australian Gov supports doping

[c_record]

In a recent televison show aired on ABC in Australia, it was announced that a group of scientists from the Australian Institute of Sport were prevented from working with pharmaceutical companies in the fight against the use of performance enhancing drugs.

Minister Jackie Kelly, and her entourage, made the illogical conclusion that if the scientists have intimate knowledge of the drugs, that they then can pass on this knowledge to elite australian athletes. Firstly, the scientists had no contact with athletes so there reason was not necessary.

The scientist were working across the globe with several of the major pharmaceutical companies in an effort to make sure that all drugs from the moment of initial design would include markers to prevent the illegal use. They were recieving great support from the manufacturers, who were keen to make sure that there drugs were not involved in illegal activities and the possible bad press they may recieve.

When the decision came from above, the group of scientist were in America, and were told to stay in there hotel rooms and not to contact the pharmaceutical companies, even to cancel their appointments. They returned two days later without notifying the companies as to why they had disappeared.

The end result is Australia has missed out on an economic opportunity to head up the elimination of drugs in sport. The anti doping community now has a few less key researchers in the fight and Australia has probably duped themselves out of a few more medals in Athens and Beijing.

The highly illogical and two year old response clouds the image further of Australian sport. Australia claims to be the leaders of the clean world and fighters against the dirty, but they have fallen on their faces quite a few times lately.

 

[tafi]

Originally posted by c_record
In a recent televison show aired on ABC in Australia, it was announced that a group of scientists from the Australian Institute of Sport were prevented from working with pharmaceutical companies in the fight against the use of performance enhancing drugs.

Minister Jackie Kelly, and her entourage, made the illogical conclusion that if the scientists have intimate knowledge of the drugs, that they then can pass on this knowledge to elite australian athletes. Firstly, the scientists had no contact with athletes so there reason was not necessary.

The scientist were working across the globe with several of the major pharmaceutical companies in an effort to make sure that all drugs from the moment of initial design would include markers to prevent the illegal use. They were recieving great support from the manufacturers, who were keen to make sure that there drugs were not involved in illegal activities and the possible bad press they may recieve.

When the decision came from above, the group of scientist were in America, and were told to stay in there hotel rooms and not to contact the pharmaceutical companies, even to cancel their appointments. They returned two days later without notifying the companies as to why they had disappeared.

The end result is Australia has missed out on an economic opportunity to head up the elimination of drugs in sport. The anti doping community now has a few less key researchers in the fight and Australia has probably duped themselves out of a few more medals in Athens and Beijing.

The highly illogical and two year old response clouds the image further of Australian sport. Australia claims to be the leaders of the clean world and fighters against the dirty, but they have fallen on their faces quite a few times lately.

I do agree with the sentiment of your argument. It is quite sad that the government didn't see the opportunities opening up.
It is also true that ours is a mean spirited, and backward government which cannot see forward beyond its own nose.

However, if I were in government I would have done the same thing, for the reason that it is unnacceptable for a Sports Institute which is training athletes to be undertaking research into undetectable drugs, no matter what the intended outcomes are.
The researchers themselves may not have had direct contact with athletes but the potential exists for the information to be spread. If this information is found to have origins in the AIS itself then it is all the more damaging to Australia sport and sportsmen.

Certainly the research is important and is also an oportunity for the advancement of testing and the maintenance of Australia as a home of clean sport (in general). It should continue with government funding but should be carried out under the auspices of ASDA (Australian Sports Drug Administration) which does not train athletes.

It is unfortunate that the Howard government could not envisage the simple changes that were needed to continue the research under appropriate funding. I believe that it is symptomatic of a government which constantly looks for excuses to cut costs to fund a military machine which is basically useless.

It is also symptomatic of governments with no forsight or statesmanship.

But that's enough of my ranting!