Minister certain Todd's medals would be safe

By JOHN ARMSTRONG political editor

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard is satisfied that there is no danger of equestrian champion Mark Todd being stripped of any medals he wins at the Sydney Olympics.

His confidence appears based on the contract Todd has signed with the New Zealand Olympic Committee which covers only the period from the start of next month to October 4 - dates that include the Sydney Games.

Under the contract's anti-doping clauses, athletes agree not to use or possess a prohibited substance. A breach of that rule and the Olympic Charter results in any medals being automatically forfeited.

But Mr Mallard indicated to Parliament that any breach outside the contract dates - as allegedly occurred in Todd's case - "will not count."

However, neither the minister's office nor the committee could clarify to the Herald's satisfaction why Todd's alleged snorting of cocaine did not breach the Olympic Charter, regardless of when it occurred.

Mr Mallard appears to be relying on assurances from the committee, which supplied a copy of the standard athletes' contract to his office. Committee secretary-general Michael Hooper would not comment last night.

Todd, a two-times Olympic three-day eventing champion, was the subject of allegations by the British newspaper Sunday Mirror in June that he snorted cocaine, which is banned by the International Olympic Committee.

The Olympic anti-doping code still applies to pre-competition preparation. But a reading of the committee's contract suggests that Todd's alleged behaviour in June appears to fall under the jurisdiction of Eventing New Zealand and the NZ Equestrian Federation - and the latter organisation has approved his selection for the Games.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, her deputy Jim Anderton and Opposition leader Jenny Shipley have expressed concern that Todd could be challenged if he wins a medal.

Questioned by Opposition parties yesterday, Mr Mallard said the committee had satisfied him that the allegations would not result in Todd being stripped of any medals.

He also urged MPs to think about the effect they were having on Todd's family "with this sort of nonsense."

Referring to Todd's alleged gay sex romp, he added: "It is important as New Zealanders that we don't add to the muck that has been raked by a rent boy in London."

Todd will be shielded from prying media at the games, according to equestrian manager Ross Coles.

Plans set up before the cocaine allegations surfaced have him free for interviews just once before competition and once after.

Even then, he was likely to appear with the full team, not on his own, said Mr Coles.

"'I want our team to be able to win medals, and they're not going to be able to win medals if every media person wants an interview every hour, every day."

Mr Coles said the athletes' village was secure, as were the stables, but he voiced concerns over other arrangements.

"Working his horses and travelling to and from is probably not so secure.

"We have also taken the precaution of having a rented vehicle, so if we think they might attack the Olympic transport system and try and interview him there, we can put him in a private vehicle."

Todd is expected to be hot property at Sydney after refusing to confirm or deny the Sunday Mirror's allegations.

Mr Coles said the team had discussed what to do if a video of Todd snorting cocaine and having gay sex was shown during the Games. The Mirror claimed to have such a video.

"If the video turns up and it's absolutely 100 per cent positive that it's Mark ... then we have to deal with it."

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