'Organised crime targets sport'

2006-09-26 22:05

Eben Human

Cape Town - It seems as if the trade in banned substances in sport has become part of organised crime in South Africa, says Professor Tim Noakes, head of the Sports Science Institute.

Noakes, who is writing an article for a medical journal about the subject, was reacting on Tuesday to shocking revelations in the television programme, Carte Blanche on M-Net on Sunday night.

Outspoken Shawn Lynch, in his day one of the most-promising track cyclists in South Africa, caused a stir among sports administrators when he told how he had supplied banned substances to sports people.

Lynch, who was twice penalised for using illegal substances while he was competing in races, could not be contacted on Tuesday. It is believed that he has gone overseas.

In an interview with Wilhelm de Swardt of Beeld, Lynch said: "It's not as if I tie up children and then inject them with something from behind. The parents approach me and ask me to help."

Sports people 'the small fry'

It is alleged that Lynch specialises in advising sports people (among whom many are children and cyclists) how to use banned substances (steroids, growth hormones and EPO).

Noakes said: "If one looks at the role players in the trade in banned substances, the sports people are probably less important.

"Pharmaceutical manufacturers of these products, and now probably also organised crime, would benefit most.

"It may also be that some of our sports controlling bodies have been corrupted," Noakes said.

Lynch claimed that a senior cycling official had always warned him in time when he would be tested for banned substances so that he could take precautions.

Lynch, an Erkurhuleni (East Rand) businessman, also said in the interview that the challenge was "to always be one step ahead of the Institute for Drug-free Sport".

Dr Shuaib Manjra, chief of the institute, said the revelations probably involved only a small minority in SA sport.

However, he said it was terrifying to see how sports people were now turning to unregistered veterinarian products such as growth hormones. Some of the products were medicines for animals from countries such as Mexico.

"This, together with the illegal trade in banned substances by unregistered individuals, is criminal and requires action from the authorities, including the Medicines Control Board and the department of health," said Manjra.

Substance trade 'criminal'

He issued an urgent call to the SA Cycling Federation to act against any cyclist implicated by the revelations in the TV programme.

He also asked that steps be taken against administrators if evidence existed that they were involved.

A shocked Chris Hattingh, the man in charge of Athletics SA's test programme for banned substances, described Lynch's trade in unregistered substances as "criminal".

- Die Burger