Drug use is widespread in Australian sport, with growing links to organised crime, according to a damning official probe released on Thursday that points to “clear parallels” with the Lance Armstrong case.
The Australian Crime Commission inquiry identified common use of prohibited substances including peptides – a type of stimulant – hormones and illicit drugs, with no professional sporting codes immune to the scourge of doping.
The findings from the year-long investigation indicated that sports scientists, coaches, support staff as well as doctors and pharmacists were involved in the provision of drugs.
The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans
In some cases, players were being administered with substances that have not yet been approved for human use.
“The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans,” Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said.
“Multiple athletes from a number of clubs in major Australian sporting codes are suspected of currently using or having previously used peptides, potentially constituting anti-doping rule violations.
“Officials from clubs have also been identified as administering, via injections and intravenous drips, a variety of substances.
“It’s cheating but its worse than that, it’s cheating with the help of criminals,” he added.
