Another case that has been in the spotlight has again highlighted the ongoing conflict between sport and politics. The case of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, has been a PR disaster and given rise to inappropriate comments by many public figures and accusations against the boxing governing body IBA.
Again the simple answer lies in the science. The “experts” can explain the possible variability in chromosomes and all the possible outcomes.
The IBA decision to ban Khelif from the 2023 World Championships was based on a testosterone/estrogen ratio test which showed a higher than normal level of testosterone. This was confirmed by Khelif’s coach. He sought the advice of a French Endocrinologist who confirmed the presence of higher than normal levels of testosterone. He provided treatment in the form of anti-androgens to control the hormone levels. According to the coach this treatment has been successful.
He also commented that Khelif had “lost” some of the size and muscle mass since the treatment. It is interesting that in 2023 she fought in the 63Kg class but in the 66Kg class at the 2024 Olympics.
Might the question be asked that if she is being given a drug to reduce her testosterone so that she can compete as a female does that treatment fall within the WADA Guideline for what might be called performance enhancing (or enabling)??
As I understand it, Shayna Jack appealed to CAS against her 4 year suspension by Swimminig Australia . Her case was heard by a sole Arbitrator , Alan Sullivan, who reduced her suspension. (Sullivan is an Australian with a record of independence in CAS cases. He has also had a role in the NRL).
WADA and SIA lost their appeal to CAS against the reduction in the suspension.
IMO, Jack’s case is a further example of unholy relationships between some sports federations and anti-doping authorities.
Alan Sullivan was recently appointed to the NRL Commission which is chaired by Paul Conlon, who was the Head of the NRL Judiciary for 8 years, and in that role during the Blackest Day timeline. It appears that the ruling from Jack’s appeal and the dismissal by Conlon of the SIA’s appeal against the reduction in Jack’s suspension could be viewed as a rebuff of WADA and SIA/ASADA.
As Head of the NRL Judiciary Conlon was instrumental is achieving a good outcome for the Cronulla Sharks where they missed only 3 games. The identity of 6 NRL clubs were released but only Cronulla was pursued.
Demetriou claimed that Dank was involved with Essendon at the time and only Essendon was named. Dank’s association with Geelong, Melbourne and Gold Coast Suns was not considered.
Now we have the Matildas player who was suspended by the relevant Italian anti doping authorities without any positive test.
She had been given a pain killing injection out of competition, a substance only WADA banned in competition. She was subsequently a sub for her Italian club , but did not play and was not tested on match day.
Reportedly, WADA may appeal the suspension as contrary to WADA rules. SIA also presenting itself as the champion of athletes in considering an appeal ( she wasn’t in the SIA testing pool),
There were 34 Essendon players suspended without any positive tests….
WADA cleared by the Independent Prosecutor in its handling of the Chinese swimmers doping, according to WADA.
It has issued a press release summarising the report ( although the report does not appear to be public )
The closing date for submissions to the ANAO audit of SIA’s management of the anti-doping system has been tentatively set for 29 September.
The ANAO has called for submissions from the public, the public is the sector it wants to hear from, including the effect on their health ( The audit comes under the ANAO health program)
The handling of ASADA’s investigation of the Essendon players has left permanent health scars on EFC players, Coaching staff and their families. Beyond them, Essendon supporters and their families taunted by association as supporters. The 2016 March to the G was the only bright spot.
I checked out the Acting Auditor General, Rona Mellor PSM, for potential conflict of interest with Essendon.
Seems OK, she’s a Brumbies and Wallabies fan ( a Queenslander) a hardened Public Servant who fell out with the previous Government when she was in the Agriculture Department, fell on her sword along with the Secretary, for giving correct advice ( I think to Barnaby Joyce).
In ANAO, she did the car park rorts, used ANAO powers to get records, including those of Ministers. Quite scathing.
Two nice dogs and a tortoiseshell cat. Three sons and a daughter.
As compared to Senate Committees of Inquiry, I don’t think submissions get listed or made public, or necessarily called for. They could get a mention in the ANAO report, if not by name.
Going by media reporting on the reduction in suspension of a German hockey player for doping, it would appear that WADA is prepared to waive the WADA prescribed rules on the penalty for positive tests.
Reportedly, the hockey player ( a 2018 Olympic silver medallist) appealed the length of suspension. The German anti doping body and WADA then reached agreement on a lower level of suspension, akin to a negotiated settlement.
Dillon initially threw the book at Hird and co for PEDs identical to the ones that Cronulla rolled over on.
He later withdrew those charges and sent an amended one, IIRC limited to TB4.
Was that before or after the ASADA show cause notices?
Forgive my ignorance, but does this show that ASADA really produced a show cause notice against the players for taking banned substances based on the vibe and they didn’t really even have a shred of evidence that what they took was banned?
I know the threads in the cable argument was crap as it wasn’t proved that TB4 came into the country, let alone found its way to Essendon.
The answer has to be ‘yes’ because there still isn’t any definitive evidence. There’s a spectrometer reading which suggests it wasn’t thymosin alpha. That’s the only bit of sciencey but flawed additional evidence produced by WADA. Everything else is circumstantial based on the belief that Dank is crooked, there is no clear audit trail as to where he ordered the thymosin from, so he must have injected their eyeballs with something illegal.
The AFL went after us because they needed to distract the public from their own incompetence and culpability. The WADA/CAS unholy wedlock needed a new method to prosecute suspected drug cheats. Our case provided the convenient testing ground to launch their new found superpowers of guilt without evidence because the E34+3 were totally irrelevant to the rest of the world.
