Not many writers have addressed the biggest issue pertaining to the ACC’s findings on Australian sport in relation to doping: duty of care to players.
Unfortunately corporate and personal greed has turned professional athletes into commodities. Stock that can be openly traded with benefits in sponsorship, accolades and the next big deal.
Is it any wonder a 20-year-old athlete isn’t going to resist temptation, when he sees a clubs star player driving around in a six figure automobile, dressed in the latest fashion and swatting away groupies with ink covered arms?
All in line with the salary cap, of course.
It’s bad enough that athletes get supplements pushed into their space like a dollar bag of mixed lollies. “This one makes you bigger, this one makes you faster, you won’t get sore with this one” say various experts with credentials as dubious as the nightclub manager letting them jump the queue at the latest club.
The NRL and AFL education and welfare systems, while they are there, are not there with purpose.
Jobs are given to young players with no long term thought on life after sport, so why would it be remiss to think that untested cutting edge fuel boosters aren’t handed out after an intense sprint session.
Most of the supplements and medications prescribed to players are untested for effect. This leaves clubs, doctors and trainers open to litigation.
Most importantly, it leaves young kids’ long-term health at risk, and this should be the real issue with these findings. The disregard for human health shown by so called “leaders” and coaches is completely disgusting.
Children looking for their big break are encouraged to get there by any means possible. If someone can help them do that, of course they are going to listen.
Every sports administrator knows the signs and effects of using performance enhancing drugs. They know the shape an athlete takes on. They know the acne on the back that shouldn’t be there and the squaring of the jaw.
They know how much fat should be on a person of average height. Yet the eyes are closed for competition points. Someone needs to tell young athletes that at 38 when their heart is failing, or their bones can’t take the weight, no one is there to help them.
Dr. Smith won’t be there to prescribe something untested that will bring life to them.
No, unless they are in the one percent, they are forgotten about. Just like a used up coal mine, they are cast aside and the next big thing is taken on, and paraded by officials who promised they’d always remember your contribution.
The win at all costs mentality isn’t only about money. Winning at all costs is a foolish pride mentality which attaches itself to team sports, working for your mates, trusting one another.
Winning at all costs isn’t for yourself. It’s for the club machine and corporatisation of sport.
It’s exposure for sponsors. It’s recognition for coaches. It’s for your home ground, it’s for the fans. It’s not for the young wide eyed player who may not even get there in the end.
These are the kids that the sporting codes need to support.
Protection for our junior athletes needs to be maintained and be seen as the number one priority. Go hard at the clubs involved, lock up the rogue doctors and take away the criminals.
Wayne Richards cheated and he was hung out to dry, while team mates won grand finals, rep jerseys and television deals. Should he have been supported? Maybe.
Has he been forgotten? Yes. It’s unfortunate that athletes are just another number.
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