Olympics: Australia finishes poor second to NZ on drug control

By DAVID LEGGAT

New Zealand's top Olympic administrator, Barry Maister, said last night that this country's drug-testing processes were "leap years" ahead of Australia.

As the Australian Olympic Committee works with drug and Customs officials to dig itself out of the deepening mess revolving around a group of its leading cyclists, New Zealand officials have no concerns they are at risk of a similar crisis.

Former world sprint champion and 2000 Olympic bronze medallist Sean Eadie last night lodged an appeal against an alleged breach of doping regulations with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Sydney. A breach could cost him a trip to Athens.

In 1999 the Australian Customs Service intercepted and destroyed a package of banned drugs allegedly addressed to Eadie from California. Privacy laws at the time prevented Customs staff from advising Cycling Australia.

Fellow rider Jobie Dajka is also under a cloud.

Last night, the AOC gave official clearance to the other athletes in its near 480-strong team after background checks involving Customs were completed.

Maister, the New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general, is confident that the comprehensive programme athletes are put through in Games years is sufficient to weed out cheats.

All prospective athletes must be registered with the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency for six months before a Games and can expect to be tested at random at least once in and out of competition.

"Australia haven't got that system," Maister said. "We think it's comprehensive. We have an excellent drug-free culture in our sport. Our athletes think it's okay. They accept that it's necessary."

If any cycling places became vacant for New Zealand riders, Maister thought it unlikely they would be filled.

"I doubt we've got anyone who is still in training with a view to this happening."