AusLeisure

Australian Sports Anti Doping Agency (ASADA) Chief Executive Ben McDevitt has launched a scathing attack on Stephen Dank, the sports scientist who ran controversial supplement programs at the Cronulla and Essendon football clubs.

Telling the ABC that Dank should never be able to work in sport ever again, McDevitt stated "if what we have gathered in relation to Stephen Dank's activities is tested and proven, then in my view, and my strong recommendation is that Stephen Dank never ever should be allowed near any sporting venue or any athlete, anywhere in the world, ever."

The comments come after 17 past and present Cronulla Sharks players were handed 12-month bans for breaching doping regulations back-dated to last November.

McDevitt said there was clear evidence the players took banned substances and he defended criticism that the penalties were too lenient, adding "these players have gone on the field to play with those substances in their systems and that has given them an unfair advantage. That's a fact.

"In relation to these particular players, their claim is that they took performance enhancing drugs unwittingly. They are saying they were doped and they were duped.

"On the evidence that we have gathered that is also a fact and that entitles them to a reduction in the penalty.

"It is a fact that they have a claim here to be able to reduce that penalty to a one-year penalty due to them having no significant fault."

Responding to criticism over ASADA's handling of the investigations into supplement use in the AFL and the NRL, McDevitt conceded the agency was not equipped to deal with the large investigation.

He explained "I don't think ASADA was ready for an investigation of this magnitude (and) it's not just ASADA. 

"I don't think any national anti-doping organisation in the world would have been ready for something of this magnitude, of this complexity, of this enormity."

23rd August 2014 - NRL PLAYERS ACCEPT BANS IN ASADA INQUIRY

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.