Last night our team doctor (Lady Ann) gave the annual anti-doping lecture. Each year we are told what changes have been made to the World Anti-Doping Code, the procedures relating to dope testing and any other related matter. Rowing is generally a clean sport, several of the Russian team was caught cheating in about 2006 (I think), since then I havn't heard of any other major offences. The penalty for doping is very high in British Olympic sports. For any offence, whether you "meant it" or if it was an accident means a life-time ban from competing at the Olympics.
Not all Olympic associations have such a strict rule, it would be harsh for an individual if their drink was spiked or supplements contaminated but is without doubt the stance that should be taken against active cheats. I don't know why Dwain Chambers still has sponsors, why he is invited to wider sporting events (such as Sport's Personality Awards) or is even tolerated by those in athletics. I would personally hound him out of the sport, there is no place for people like him - he is no role model. He wasn't even good at cheating, but that was more to do with his attitude, I remember him pulling up in some high level 100m final for "cramp". If he had cramp then fair enough, but the replays showed everyone was going through him and he could do nothing about it; he glances either side of himself, realises he is beaten (he was one of the favourites) and then pulls up. At the time I thought it looked like he had bottled it, it may be unfair to infer that from that incident - only he and possibly those immediately round him know the truth.
Anyway, doping is something all serious athletes need to pay attention to and GB rowing ensures we are upto date and in the know. There is a strict personal liability, it's your business.
Weather is still hot here, my birthday tomorrow so hopefully it will cool abit so it feels abit more like home!
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