Documents recently released by Dr Wade Exum detail the results of positive drug tests for over 100 US athletes, including Carl Lewis – who tested positive for a number of banned stimulants at the 1988 US Olympic trials – and 19 other medallists.

None of it surprises. Articles in the 1980s openly expressed suspicion about Lewis and other members of his track club who wore braces in their mid-to-late 20s – a trademark of athletes experiencing symptoms from human growth hormone.

Sure, Lewis’ indictment will shock the gullible, who will be incensed at the hypocrisy of the man who pointed the finger at Ben Johnson in 1988. But that’s their problem. They shouldn’t put such faith in any individual, especially in that finance-entertainment complex that masquerades as honest sporting endeavour.

The US Olympic Committee and US Track and Field are just two American sporting bodies among many with a sloppy and secretive approach to drug cheats.

More telling is the mechanism of denial and discredit that swings into action whenever someone like Exum expresses frustration at the lack of action. Three years ago, Dr Exum – a respected medico and administrator – had his reputation dragged through the mud, and was sacked by the USOC. But today they can’t say his allegations were “unsubstantiated”, “unwarranted”, and a “slur” on the athletes concerned. Now they can’t say he’s cashing in on the Olympics. Instead, they trot out the lamest defence they made in 2000, and it still makes no sense. To paraphrase spokesmen, then and now: “How can he criticise the drug program he was in charge of?” And to paraphrase our argument then: who is more qualified to comment? Anyone else would be dismissed as ill-informed. Only someone in that position could have seen it all. Sport needs more people like Exum and fewer of the manufactured “heroes” and those faceless crooks and bureaucrats who protect them.

Published in Inside Sport, May 2003