Australia swimmers await sanctions over sedatives
Source: Agencies |
February 23, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER world swimming champions James Magnussen and Eamon Sullivan, and their 4x100-meter relay teammates, face possible sanctions, including a loss of funding from the Australian Olympic Committee, after admitting taking the sleeping medication Stilnox during a "bonding session" ahead of last year's London Games.
Magnussen, Sullivan, Tommaso D'Orsogna, Cameron McEvoy, James Roberts and Matthew Targett fronted a media conference in Sydney yesterday with Swimming Australia President Barclay Nettlefold, and released a joint statement admitting they took Stilnox and engaged in disruptive behavior, including making prank calls during the Australian team's pre-games camp in Manchester.
Roberts later said he did not take Stilnox, while Sullivan said the remaining members of the relay team took one tablet each. "In hindsight it was a ridiculous choice and ridiculous method ... but I don't feel it affected my performance," Magnussen said.
The medication is not a banned substance, but the AOC prohibited Australian athletes from using it ahead of the London Olympics after former swimmer Grant Hackett revealed he became dependent on sleeping pills during his career.
Sullivan said the Stilnox was obtained with a doctor's prescription in Australia before the AOC ban.
AOC Secretary General Craig Phillips said possible sanctions against the swimmers could include a withdrawal of their funding in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. The AOC could also ask for money paid under its medal incentive scheme to be returned, meaning Magnussen could be forced to pay back US$10,000 given to him for winning a silver medal in London.
The swimmers' admissions came after an independent review into the Australian swimming team's disappointing performance in London. The review described a "toxic" environment, including misuse of prescription drugs and bullying.
Australia's only swimming gold medal at the London Games was in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay, with the high-profile men's relay and Magnussen failing to deliver on the expectations from a country which is used to strong performances in the Olympic pool.
In what was Australia's worst Olympic swimming performance in two decades, the team won 10 just medals overall, including six silver and three bronze.
Magnussen, Sullivan, Tommaso D'Orsogna, Cameron McEvoy, James Roberts and Matthew Targett fronted a media conference in Sydney yesterday with Swimming Australia President Barclay Nettlefold, and released a joint statement admitting they took Stilnox and engaged in disruptive behavior, including making prank calls during the Australian team's pre-games camp in Manchester.
Roberts later said he did not take Stilnox, while Sullivan said the remaining members of the relay team took one tablet each. "In hindsight it was a ridiculous choice and ridiculous method ... but I don't feel it affected my performance," Magnussen said.
The medication is not a banned substance, but the AOC prohibited Australian athletes from using it ahead of the London Olympics after former swimmer Grant Hackett revealed he became dependent on sleeping pills during his career.
Sullivan said the Stilnox was obtained with a doctor's prescription in Australia before the AOC ban.
AOC Secretary General Craig Phillips said possible sanctions against the swimmers could include a withdrawal of their funding in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. The AOC could also ask for money paid under its medal incentive scheme to be returned, meaning Magnussen could be forced to pay back US$10,000 given to him for winning a silver medal in London.
The swimmers' admissions came after an independent review into the Australian swimming team's disappointing performance in London. The review described a "toxic" environment, including misuse of prescription drugs and bullying.
Australia's only swimming gold medal at the London Games was in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay, with the high-profile men's relay and Magnussen failing to deliver on the expectations from a country which is used to strong performances in the Olympic pool.
In what was Australia's worst Olympic swimming performance in two decades, the team won 10 just medals overall, including six silver and three bronze.
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