Todd turns deaf ear to Olympic come-clean call

By GEOFF CUMMING and KATHERINE HOBY

Mark Todd has refused to tell Olympic officials whether he snorted cocaine at an Oxford hotel.

Agents for the two-time Olympic champion responded to the New Zealand Olympic Committee's "please explain" request yesterday after contacting Todd overnight in England.

Committee general secretary Mike Hooper said Todd, through his agents, would not expand on earlier statements declining to confirm or deny taking the illegal substance.

The response has failed to satisfy the Olympic Committee - although it plans no immediate further measures.

"We are monitoring the situation. If new facts come to light we will act upon them," Mr Hooper said. "Clearly the issue is not going to go away. We want to see clarity and certainly want it resolved before the Games."

The committee named Todd in the six-strong eventing team last week after assurances from Eventing New Zealand that all their chosen riders met selection rules.

The criteria include requirements that athletes serve as examples to the country's sporting youth and bring credit to "their sport and New Zealand."

Mr Hooper said Todd's refusal to deny the drug claim did not give the committee room to take further action.

He could not be judged a "bad role model" for his stance.

"If we made that judgment, what evidence did we base that decision on? That would get very messy - I mean 'see you in court'. He's got a right to say as little or as much as he wishes. The principles of natural justice must apply."

However, in Geneva last night, an International Olympic Committee spokesman said that the New Zealand Olympic Committee was well within its rights to sack Todd from the team because he had neither confirmed nor denied the allegations by the Sunday Mirror.

Under the Olympic Charter national committees have the final say on the athletes selected by national sporting organisation.

Grounds could be breach of a bylaw which says selections should be based "not only on the sports performance of an athlete but also on his ability to serve as an example to the sporting youth of his country."

New Zealand's former Olympians are divided over whether Todd should go to the Sydney Games.

Track silver medallist Dick Quax said Todd needed to come clean on whether he had taken an illegal substance.

"He's the only one who can resolve this issue. He shouldn't take his place on the team until then," he said.

Until Todd spoke out to the contrary, the circumstantial evidence seemed to point to his guilt.

"If it was me and it wasn't true I would be denying it all over town and suing the pants off whoever was printing it.

"This whole issue has tarnished the Olympic ideal.

"Until we can clear the issue up he should not represent New Zealand. His sexuality is not an issue, the drugs could be of concern to all."

Athletics gold medal-winner Murray Halberg said: "I believe it behoves all parties concerned to sort it out amongst themselves.

"That is, Todd, the federation he competes for and the Olympic body, sooner rather than later."

Hockey gold medallist Ramesh Patel believes it is a private matter.

"If anything is proven through the proper channels then the athlete must abide by it but this seems to be private business.

"I prefer to let the natural process take place instead of the media letting out little bits of gossip."

Yachting silver medallist Leslie Egnot said Todd was innocent until proven guilty.

"I can't see why his competing chances should be prejudiced.

"We would like him to say 'I didn't do it' but he is choosing not to. There's not enough proof to point the finger.

"At this stage, he should be able to go and compete. If proven to have taken drugs, then I would disagree with his going."

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