Rugby league's war on drugs goes global
by: Brent Read
From: The Australian
May 25, 2013 12:00AM
A SPORTS university in the west of Germany and a hi-tech laboratory in the northeast of London have become key weapons as the NRL takes a global approach to the war on drugs.
After months of talks with the clubs and the players union, NRL chief executive Dave Smith yesterday announced a raft of measures designed to strengthen the game's drug-testing regime, including the introduction of the athlete biological passport (ABP), use of a revolutionary test for human growth hormone (HGH) and increased testing for peptides.
As part of the bumped-up program, the NRL will send urine samples to the German Sport University in Cologne, which is home of the Centre for Preventive Doping Research. It is one of only two laboratories in the world able to conduct testing for peptides - the drugs at the centre of the current Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation in the NRL. The NRL will also send blood samples to London - understood to be the King's College Drug Control Centre - as part of its plan to utilise the latest testing for HGH, which was adopted for the 2012 London Olympics.
The new measures have been introduced on the eve of this year's State of Origin, meaning players from both the Queensland and NSW sides are expected to be targeted in the initial round.
Earlier this year, in outlining his desire to introduce the ABP, Smith detailed plans to test as many as 50 elite players, including members of the both the Queensland and NSW sides. "For the first time we will send samples to London to take advantage of the latest testing technology developed for the 2012 Olympics," Smith said.
"In addition, we will be increasing testing for peptides, with samples sent to Cologne to take advantage of leading international developments in peptide testing.
"At the same time time, we will also increase the number of regular tests undertaken during competition and the off-season. This new testing program is a seriousness statement about the game we want to see in the years ahead.
"Every time a 12-year-old goes to the game, I want her to know her heroes are doing the best and they are clean. Every time a 22-year-old goes on debut, I want him to know he is competing against other players doing their best, who are 100 per cent clean."
Smith said the changes, including an increase in testing across the board of 30 per cent, had the full support of the clubs and the players union. "The clubs are right behind wanting a drug-free sport," Smith said. "The clubs really understand these are emerging threats, emerging risks. We want to make sure our game is safe and that we have confidence and trust for the fans and members. I can sit here confidently and tell you this is something we're doing right now. It's not for tomorrow."
Asked whether Origin players could be targeted, Smith said: "The ABP test is in effect as at now. We signed the contract earlier in the week so the new regime is in place.
"I won't speculate on the exact nature of who we are going to test. What I will tell you is the tests start now; they will recover the rest of the season. These are measures that are in place, we have done the work in the background, we are ready to go, we have signed the contract and we have lined up ASADA."
While ASADA is in step with the game on the latest measures to combat drugs, Smith was unable to shed any light on the progress of the investigation into peptide use in the sport. ASADA has been speaking to Richard Young, the American lawyer who broke open the Lance Armstrong case.
"ASADA know that I continue to want urgently to get the existing investigation done," Smith said.
"So I think we're all clear where I stand on that point. ASADA continue to reassure me they're doing everything they possibly can to get the investigation completed in as timely a way as they can."
