Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

ASADA CEO says Stephen Dank should never be able to work in sport again

ASADA CEO says Stephen Dank should never be able to work in sport again
August 25, 2014
Legal / Sport /

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


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 

Mattioli

Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…

read more

Aquatics / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Elite Pool Covers

Since 1989 Elite Pool Covers have designed and manufactured an extensive range of high quality affordable manual,semi-automatic and fully-automatic pool cover systems for the harsh Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Technology / Venues

 
 

Digonex

Digonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business