World records could be at risk, says Australia swim chief
Greg Buckle
Ian Thorpe's next world record might not be recognised because of the lack of blood-testing at this month's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, Australian swimming officials said on Thursday.
Australian Thorpe, 19, the 200, 400 and 800 metres freestyle world record holder, said earlier this week he was disappointed with suggestions that Games officials would not be testing swimmers for the blood-boosting drug EPO (erythropoietin).
"It's a bit unclear from our point of view (what testing will be done in Manchester)," Australian Swimming's high performance director Greg Hodge said on Thursday.
Swimming champion Ian Thorpe of Australia is interviewed by Japanese reporters.
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"World records can't be recognised unless blood testing is done within 24 hours of a world record swim," said Hodge, speaking to Reuters by telephone from Sydney.
"It's not a meet overseen by (swimming's world governing body) FINA. The Commonwealth Games Federation have not informed us on what the drug-testing protocol will be."
Hodge said it was his understanding the EPO blood-testing would have to be carried out at laboratories in Stockholm or Paris and completed within 24 hours if a swimmer like Thorpe or Australia's 1,500 metres freestyle world record holder Grant Hackett broke a world mark.
THORPE DISAPPOINTED
Thorpe told a news conference on Wednesday: "Once you introduce tests to eradicate drug use in sport it's disappointing that it's not going to be used at every opportunity.
"If it was used in competition you might catch one athlete and that's enough to justify its inclusion."
Hodge said: "Ian has heard that on the swimming grapevine, but we haven't heard that for sure (about the absence of an EPO blood test at the Games).
"The thing about this team, they are capable of a world record, in an individual event or in a relay, at a meet like this.
"We want to make sure things are in place, just in case that happens. We believe this testing should be available on site."
The Australia swimming squad of 41 will leave Sydney on Friday for Germany where they will be in camp until arriving at the Games village on July 28, three days after the opening ceremony.
Australia are tipped to win about two-thirds of the 38 swimming golds on offer when the pool action starts on July 30.
