Mallard can but won't act in Todd affair

By EUGENE BINGHAM political reporter

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has received official advice that he could penalise sports bodies for their handling of the Mark Todd affair.

However, he has refused to act because he says to do so would be unfair and similar to the actions of an "Eastern European dictator."

The Government found itself under pressure yesterday over its own handling of the drug scandal, with Opposition leader Jenny Shipley saying Mr Mallard will be responsible for any embarrassment suffered by the country in the wake of further allegations against Todd.

The double gold medallist has been confirmed as a member of the equestrian team for next month's Olympics in Sydney despite British newspaper allegations that he snorted cocaine.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has cleared his inclusion in the team after an investigation, though it has refused to say how it conducted its inquiries.

Todd has refused to confirm or deny the allegations and the committee will not disclose the content of its conversations with him. Committee secretary-general Michael Hooper said yesterday that the blame would lie squarely with Todd if the issue blew up in Sydney.

Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton said on Tuesday that New Zealand risked being humiliated if the Sunday Mirror produced further allegations once the Olympics began.

Mrs Shipley yesterday called for Mr Mallard to suspend taxpayer funding to Todd through the Sports Foundation until the situation was clarified.

The foundation receives about $10 million a year through the Hillary Commission. Equestrian got more than $500,000 this year.

Mr Mallard told the Herald he had been advised he could, theoretically, tell the Hillary Commission not to fund the Sports Foundation. "But that would involve a minister acting like an Eastern European dictator in deciding which sports and which particular athletes get funded and it's something I'm not prepared to do."

He said the situation with Todd was different from that which presented itself when soccer boss Charlie Dempsey was involved in the World Cup vote shock last month.

While Mr Mallard had taken a cautious approach in the Todd affair and even last month stood by him as "one of my heroes," he was swift to condemn Mr Dempsey as an international embarrassment.

Mr Mallard said the Government had become involved in the Dempsey matter because the South Africans sought assurances of support from the Prime Minister, whereas there was no legitimate Government role in the Todd situation.

But Mrs Shipley said she did not accept that the Government could not do something to prevent New Zealand from becoming embroiled in further controversy.

Olympic equestrian manager Ross Coles said last night that the situation was "bloody hard" for his team "and the more politicians that get involved just makes it harder."

Riders had to be positive that Todd would be in the team, and concentrate on winning medals.

No rider had raised any concern with him that the affair was disrupting preparation. "What we have talked with them about is 'what if?' ... I'd be silly to say we have not discussed that."

The team had discussed what to do if a video of Todd snorting cocaine was shown at the Games. The Sunday Mirror claimed to have such a video.

Todd said from his English home yesterday that he was aware of the political furore but remained on course for the Olympics. His horses would go into quarantine today.