The father of former Essendon coach James Hird has called for a new investigation into the club’s 2013 supplements scandal, as the world anti-doping authority faces a new investigation into Chinese swimmers accused of doping.
The Essendon Football Club supplements saga was a major sporting controversy, with the club being investigated in 2013 over its 2012 supplements programme.
The Australian Football League (AFL) has found Essendon and key officials guilty of running a program that breached player health and safety standards.
As a result, Essendon were banned from the 2013 AFL finals, fined $2 million and their coach, James Hird, was suspended for 12 months.
Additionally, 34 past and present players were initially found not guilty by the AFL Tribunal, but were later suspended for 12 months in 2016 after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Essendon were excluded from the final, 34 players were suspended and their coach James Hird was sacked following the 2013 supplements scandal.
Hird is a big Essendon club but was forced to leave the club in tears and failed in his bid to be reinstated as manager for the 2024 season.
Hird was expected to make a sensational return as head coach in 2024 but was left “betrayed” by the club after missing out to Brad Scott.
Meanwhile, WADA has launched an independent investigation into its response to a case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance but were not sanctioned.
Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier will lead the review, with full access to relevant files and the ability to consult with independent experts.
These swimmers, including members of the team China sent to the Tokyo Olympics, won medals despite their positive tests, which China’s anti-doping agency later justified by claiming the substance was unknowingly ingested.
Sport Integrity Australia chief executive David Sharpe supported the investigation, saying in a press release: “Athletes in Australia and around the world must have confidence in the global anti-doping system and have confidence that all competitions are fair. and that all athletes are treated. equitably.’
“We need to remember that not all athletes are legally trained and understand the complexities of the World Anti-Doping Code, so it is important to break it down into clear and concise facts to ensure that confidence in the global anti-doping system can be restored.” concluded the press release.
South Korea. Chinese star swimmer Sun Yang has been banned for more than four years for violating anti-doping rules.
Swiss lawyer Eric Cottier will be the independent prosecutor who will evaluate WADA’s management in the doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers
Writing for him Herald of the sunAllan Hird, James’ father, criticized Sharpe for not giving Australian athletes Peter Bol and Shayna Jack the same level of support.
Both were accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs ahead of long-running campaigns to clear their names.
Hird also wrote that the 34 Essendon players had no legal training or a clear understanding of the World Anti-Doping Code, and called for their case to be reopened.
“That certainly applies to Essendon footballers,” Hird wrote.
‘But even if they had been well versed in the World Anti-Doping Code, it wouldn’t have helped. Simply because they were accused of taking thymosin beta-4 in 2012 and the WADA only managed to get TB4 into the code in 2018.
‘Surely it is time for an independent review of ASADA and WADA’s search for the 34 Essendon players. And not one set by the SIA or the WADA, but a proper judicial review set by the government.
Peter Bol was forced to clear his name after initially being suspended by Sport Integrity Australia for returning a positive sample.
Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has spoken openly about the hardship and pain of being accused of doping, before clearing her name.
Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse said his organization welcomed the independent review of the Chinese swimmers.
“While the results of this review will not be delivered for another two months, Swimming Australia has also sought assurances and clarity from WADA on the processes undertaken in the handling of this case to restore faith in the global anti-doping system,” it said. .
‘Swimming Australia is committed to clean sport and strict enforcement of anti-doping rules, which will be applied equally, to maintain a level playing field without exception.
“Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of the anti-doping system and we hope that the independent review will provide greater clarity about the processes involved in this case.”