Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has attacked swimming's governing body for its approach to dope testing on the same day that he smashed his own 800 metres freestyle world record. Thorpe is concerned that FINA has refused to test competitors at the world swimming championships for the drug erythropoietin (EPO).
"There's a lot that FINA does that disappoints me. One is the lack of tests and the way tests are done. I don't think it looks good from outside the sport. The lack of testing is not going to get the positives that will turn the sport around. It is not clean now and I don't know if it ever will be," said the 15-time world record holder. FINA has said that it is not testing for EPO because of concerns by its drug review panel. One of the most commonly abused drugs in sport, EPO was at the root of the scandal-hit 1998 Tour de France.
Thorpe claimed his third gold medal at the championships so far in the 800 metres freestyle at the World Championships in Japan today. He claimed victory in great style, slicing just over two seconds off the world record he set in Tasmania earlier in the year, after holding off compatriot Grant Hackett, the Olympic 1500m champion. Although Hackett led for most of the race, 18-year-old Thorpe took the lead at the final turn and then powered away to win in a time of 7:39.16 with Hackett coming in at 7:40.34. The 1995 Olympic 1500m bronze medallist, Graeme Smith of Great Britain, came third in 7:51.12.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
