Australian Government: Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today issued a call to anyone involved with, or has information about, doping activity in the sport of cycling to come forward and talk before someone else accuses them of doping.

ASADA Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Andruska said people have already started to talk as a part of ASADA’s investigation into cycling.

Where an athlete, support person or other person acknowledges their mistakes and are willing to bring further anti-doping rule violations to light by other people ASADA can offer ‘substantial assistance’ under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Ms Andruska said ASADA is willing to offer this to people who make the stand against doping in sport.

“But let me be clear; this is not an amnesty where full absolution is given,” said Ms Andruska.

Australia has not been immune to the fallout from the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation into the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. Since the release of the report two prominent Australian cycling figures have admitted to doping during their sporting career.

Ms Andruska said we know that it does not end here. But knowing and having the information to act on are two different things.

“The days of remaining silent are over. The days of fearing what happens if the truth gets out are over. The days of protecting people who are in the wrong are over.

“We want to hear from you if you have experienced peer pressure to dope in your sport. We want to hear from you if you participated in organised doping to make the team or be the best. We want to hear from you if you have information about suspicious doping activity in your sport.

“We understand that there are many in the cycling community who have unanswered questions about what is happening, and what will happen.

“All I can say is that we plan to exhaust all our efforts in conducting a full investigation. The integrity of Australian cycling is under public scrutiny and we now need the cooperation of the sport and its athletes if our investigation is going to get to the heart of the matter,” said Ms Andruska.

To report suspicious doping activity in sport call our confidential Stamp Out Doping hotline on 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232) or use the secure and anonymous form on our website at www.asada.gov.au

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• The focus of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s (ASADA) investigation is Australian cycling.

• ASADA’s announcement specifically speaks to cyclists and their support personnel.
• But anyone with knowledge of doping activity in sport can contact us at any time.
• The Lance Armstrong case demonstrates the importance of people being prepared to speak out against athletes who use and abuse performance enhancing substances and methods.

• At this stage, the focus of ASADA’s investigation is Australian cycling.

• The ‘Reasoned Decision’ released by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) paints a disturbing picture of a highly sophisticated doping program in the sport of professional cycling.
• ASADA made a commitment in October 2012 to thoroughly investigate Australian cycling following the doping admissions by two former Australian cyclists.

• The integrity of Australian cycling is under public scrutiny and ASADA now needs the cooperation of the sport and its athletes if its investigation is going to get to the heart of the matter.
• The USADA report has revealed that young athletes have been pressured into situations where they are faced with an appalling choice. They are told to get on board with a highly organised doping program or face being left off the team.
• This is not just cheating; the substances and practices involve significant short-, medium- and long-term health risks. No athlete should have to face that choice; they should not have to risk their health and integrity, or give up their dream of competing at the highest level of their sport.
• ASADA wants to hear from athletes if they’ve experienced peer pressure to dope in their sport; if they’ve participated in organised doping to make the team; or if they’ve got information about suspicious doping activity.
• Someone needs to stand up and help sport rid itself of the deception that doping perpetuates.

• Where an athlete, support person or other person acknowledges their mistakes and are willing to bring further anti-doping rule violations to light by other people ASADA can offer ‘substantial assistance’ under the World Anti-Doping Code.
• The World Anti-Doping Code supports the concept of reduced sentences for athletes and support personnel who voluntarily come forward and provide evidence that leads to the discovery of doping violations by others.

• ASADA is not offering an amnesty.
• ASADA’s primary role is to apply the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List in Australia.
• It will ultimately be a decision for WADA to determine if it introduces some form of amnesty that allows athletes from all sports to come forward and admit to doping.

• While both matters are looking into Australian cycling, each has a very different focus.
• ASADA’s investigation is focused on determining if any potential anti-doping rule violations have occurred in the sport of cycling following on from the release of the USADA report and the doping admissions by two former Australian cyclists.
• The review being undertaken by Mr Wood looks specifically at Cycling Australia’s governance and administrative practices, as well as examining their anti-doping policies and practices.

• At this stage it is difficult to say how long the investigation will take.
• ASADA is talking to USADA, other anti-doping organisations, Cycling Australia and Australian cyclists as a part of the investigation.
• This may take some time, but ASADA has a duty to be both thorough and accurate in its investigation.
• ASADA will exhaust all its efforts in conducting a full investigation.

• Until ASADA concludes its investigation there is no definitive answer to this question.

• Only once the investigation is completed and ASADA has had an opportunity to discuss the findings with the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, the sport and other key stakeholders.

• To report suspicious doping activity in sport anyone can call the confidential Stamp Out Doping hotline on 13 000 27232 or use the secure online form at www.asada.gov.au
• It doesn’t matter how little information someone provides, it could be a piece of a puzzle leading to an action against someone doping.