So we got our first gold medal in the Athletics today, Christine Ohuruogu in the women’s 400m. Hurrah, you would think.
But I’m genuinely disappointed that she’s even there, competing, let alone won the raced and will now be feted as a hero of British athletics.
For those that don’t know, Ohuruogu skipped three out-of-competition drugs tests in 2006, and was banned from all competition for 12 months. She came back in 2007, won the World Championships, and has today added the Olympic title.
I’ve made my feelings on drug use in sport known already on this blog, and it bears repeating here:
My reasoning is that the use of steroids is not like using nitrous in a car. It’s not an instant boost with no long-lasting effects. Steroid use (over many years) actually changes your physiology. It makes your bones stronger, your muscles denser, can increase blood flow and generally make you harder, better, faster, stronger.
And these things don’t instantly go away when you stop using drugs, unlike the effects of nitrous. You remain stronger, with your insides irrevocably altered. So even if you’re clean five years later, you still have the benefits of having used drugs previously.
Ohuruogu did not fail a drugs test, I acknowledge that. She is not in the same position as Dwain Chambers. But skipping drugs tests, especially three is for me as bad as actually failing one. If you miss one through bad luck, forgetfulness or so on, fair enough.
But three?! Sorry, but that’s unacceptable. She fully deserved her ban, and should’ve been treated the same way as any other drug cheat by the British Olympic Association: a lifetime ban on competing in the Olympics.
Through all manner of legal protests, she had her Olympic ban overturned, although she had to serve out her one-year ban from all competitions. Thus she was free to compete today.
This whole Ohuruogu saga has truly tainted the success of the British team in these Olympics for me. We’ve done so well, a lot better than anyone had expected, but now we have a drug cheat as part of our gold-winners.
I’m ashamed, truly ashamed that Christine Ohuruogu was allowed to represent my country in these Olympic Games.
But, I have to say a fantastic well done to the whole cycling team, who picked up another pair of gold medals today, as well as a silver. Tremendous work.
