One of Australia’s leading doctors has warned athletes of the serious risk of death from taking unrecognised supplements and is tipping a messy end to ASADA’s probe into embattled Cronulla.
With the NRL soon to reveal Cronulla’s fate following ASADA’s year-long investigation into the Sharks’ 2011 supplements program, Dr Peter Larkins from Sports Medicine Australia has aired his concerns about the apparent marginalisation of club doctors within professional sport.
Dr Larkins has painted a grim picture for athletes and sports clubs alike if non-medical personnel continue to override and undermine the authority of qualified doctors.
“There’s been a real falling out between medical and non-medical people at professional sports clubs,” Dr Larkins told AAP on Monday.
“There’s a whole generation of sports science people coming through who are well trained in sports performance areas and what I call genuine areas but many, many sports and clubs have got these people.
“So it’s not just the Sharks and Essendon who are trying to find that middle ground as to who’s responsible for what.
“But our issue from the Sports Medicine organisation’s point of view is that a lot of health and medical issues should be run under the care of the medical program, not under the care of the science program.”
Dr Larkins says it’s hard to imagine more dire consequences of athletes taking non-approved supplements than the punishment handed out to AFL club Essendon, including a $2 million fine, the one-year suspension of coach James Hird and the Bombers’ banishment from the 2013 finals.
But he suspects the findings into the Sharks’ supplement program may be worse.
“I think you’ll find some of the peptide products that are alleged to have been used more widely than just by Cronulla have potential effects on long-term health that are undocumented because these products do not have a track record of being used in sport performance areas,” he said.
“Some of them aren’t even licensed for use in therapeutic areas because they’re just theoretical products that have an effect on tissue building … and if you’re talking about products that potentially accelerate cell growth, well that’s what cancers are.
“Cancers are cells that get out of control and, therefore, the ultimate side effect is death.”
Dr Larkins believes it’s imperative that order is restored in all sports, including swimming, rugby union and cricket – as well as rugby league and the AFL.
“The concept of medical decisions being made by non-medical personnel is archaic and fraught with danger,” he said.
Dr Larkins says “there needs to be a closure” very soon of the Sharks’ 11-month saga.
“And that closure might mean that there’s some grief because I think there will be some adverse findings in relation to rugby league practices with supplements that goes much, much stronger than even Essendon’s – and probably more widespread,” he said.
“I think there will be some tears shed because there are going to be some players who are going to be potentially found to have taken some products – rightly or wrongly whether (or not) they thought they were against the WADA code.
“Then there will be legal ramifications, I would have thought, from player managers who come in and bring action against the club for inappropriate governance of those players.
“If you’re on a half-a-million-dollar contract and you’re suspended from playing and you can prove that the club somehow put you in that position by its actions, then you’d take actions against the club.”
eagleJack
Guest
Here you go AR “I think there will be some adverse findings in relation to rugby league practices with supplements that goes much, much stronger than even Essendon’s – and probably more widespread,” I mean due to his extensive knowledge of the ins and outs of each and every club, in both codes, he has every right to claim doping is more widespread in the NRL than AFL. Right??? A collective shake of the head from every physician in the country.
John Ryan
Roar Pro
I think the NRL has handled this much better than the corrupt AFL,they have fined Cronulla a million dollars and suspended the coach also revoked the licence of one of the trainers,I don't think the coach will get a million dollar holiday AKA Hird,AFL still has to work through the 10 other clubs including GWS which is Andys very own love child. Who are implicated in the drugs thing,I assume more NRL clubs will be as well but the NRL seem to have avoided the histrionics of the AFL mess,I feel this will run well into 2014
Storm Boy
Guest
Except the opening paragraph is just about the Sharks, it is a story posted in the league section of the Roar, the doctor claims (based on what?) that the NRL situation is much worse than the AFL. Plus his own website mentions a lot about working in AFL but nothing in NRL. http://www.drpeterlarkins.com/ So forgive us for being doubtful. Maybe that doubt would be less if the first paragraph mentioned Essendon or both Essendon/Cronulla, if the story was posted in the AFL section & the comment about the NRL being worse was backed up by evidence. On top of that we have a doctor offering up legal advice. Please.
Australian Rules
Guest
I'm still looking for the anti-NRL bias that some of you are claiming from this article. In the article, the doc questions the influence of sports science (over sports medicine) at all sports clubs, AFL & NRL included. Seriously. Is the bias hiding under your tin foil hats?
Australian Rules
Guest
Wow. That's actually impressive. How on earth did you pull all that from the article or Dr Larkins' quotes..?
Don
Roar Rookie
I think the real story about who took what and when will only come out when the supply chain identities like Dank and "the Gazelle" advise who they supplied substances to. Then we will see which players, trainers and associates were supplied (not only administered) the banned substances both within and outside their club structures. Hopefully infraction notices are served on all the Essendon players along with any other AFL players found to be receiving illegal supplements via a program like Essendon's. They should be banned for at least 6 months. Likewise, I want to see every NRL player who has been proven to have received supplements by way of a club endorsed program to be banned for the same. Any players in either code who have been proven to have received banned substances outside of their club and without the knowledge of club staff should simply be banned for 2 years.
Storm Boy
Guest
Well ASADA's NRL investigation has interviewed more than just Sharks players and staff. Plus Earl got an infraction notice. I think what the media were saying months ago was players at other clubs may have obtained supplements without the knowledge of their club. Whether they would ever be proven to have taken a banned supplement is another thing altogether.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
This. It really boggles the mind that a man who has nothing to do with anything in this case can come out, make claims and preach it like gospel. "that are alleged to have been used more widely than just by Cronulla" LOL at this doctor. allegedly. Dr Larkins, how did you get you get into med school?
Storm Boy
Guest
Like this one on 3AW in August 'When all is said and done, NRL will have the black eye' http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-breakfast-blog/when-all-is-said-and-done-nrl-will-have-the-black-eye/20130828-2sp3l.html "In the culpability range, if we make it a Richter scale of 10, you'd have the Essendon football club at 2.5 and the NRL at 9."
godragonsgo
Guest
So far I have heard several comments from AFL Media (and I believe this Dr is more involved in media than Medicine) over the past 12 months that discuss the Essendon case but then lessen the issue by saying the situation is much worse in the NRL. Several times I have heard multiple NRL clubs and exaggerated claims of 70 plus players involved. Well so far it is one club with players from that club spread to other teams. The situation occurred over 2 months at Cronulla whilst Essendon ran for an entire year. The AFL was complimented by these same media types for its handling of the situation in comparison to the NRL but it has since come to light that there were some very 'dodgy' dealings going right to the top in making sure the AFL image was not tarnished to the extent it could have been. Meanwhile the NRL has played a straight bat in line with ASADA and Wada protocol despite knowing it would take a hit to its public relations. The Cronulla case is deeply disturbing and things may come to light to change my view but so far everything I have seen suggests the Essendon situation was at best the equal too but more likely to be worse than what happened at Cronulla. I am just glad this Doctor is not my personal physician because I would not have confidence in his prognosis.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
This is article is proof that that some people should just shut their mouths.
eagleJack
Guest
"I think there will be some adverse findings in relation to rugby league practices with supplements that goes much, much stronger than even Essendon’s – and probably more widespread,” As godragonsgo pointed out above it would be nice to get this sort of info from somebody who clearly doesn't have a hidden agenda. How on earth would Larkins know that the year long systemic doping at Essendon was any better (or less severe) than the couple of months it was apparent at Cronulla? Or that it is more widespread in the NRL? Was he involved with either club? Oh that's right cause he has made a living as a TV personality for the AFL. Please, grain of salt with this guy. Cheque is in the mail Peter.
Storm Boy
Guest
Who goes to their doctor for legal advice?
godragonsgo
Guest
Once again another personality who works closely in the AFL condemns the NRL about the supplements program. He should appear on Offsiders because that's what that show is built around. Deflecting the AFL issue by making out the NRL's issue is far worse. How does this guy know all the facts of what happened at Cronulla when he is clearly an AFL man and would have had no interest in Rugby League until now? Don't get me wrong I am not defending Cronulla but please can we hear from independent specialist on this issue, not another apologist for the AFL.