Opinion: State-sponsored doping - Could it happen in New Zealand?

(AAP)
(AAP)

Ask yourself two very simple questions:

The answer to both of these questions is the government.

This has the potential to create a climate for corruption.

Now before we go any further, let's make this absolutely clear: I am in no way suggesting ANYTHING untoward is happening in New Zealand. I'm not suggesting any of our athletes are doping, nor that any officials – sporting or government - are corrupt.

But consider this: Winning gold medals boosts national pride, and projects a feel-good factor that subconsciously affects the way we feel about a lot of things. Especially if, say, the country wins one more medal, one more gold medal, moves one place up the medal table from the previous games – it gives you a sense that life is improving. We feel better about the house we live in, the city we live in, the country we live in, and who's in charge of it.

Opinion: State-sponsored doping - Could it happen in New Zealand?

A worker prepares a 2016 Olympic gold medal (Reuters)

When a government pours millions of dollars into high performance sport, it's targeted.

It's targeted at sports like rowing, cycling, yachting – sports New Zealand's good at. Why? Because they want a return on their investment. They need a return on their investment, so they can justify it to you, the taxpayer. Would a government ever seek to ensure it?

Russia's proved it could and would. The release of law professor Richard McLaren's report into state-sponsored doping has raised many questions about the integrity of sport, the Olympic Games, the IOC, and Russia.

It uncovered a systematic doping regime for Russia's leading medal hopes that started with athletes and coaches, and worked its way through anti-doping lab directors, secret service agents, and finally to government officials.

In summary of his key findings, McLaren found "The Ministry of Sport directed, controlled and oversaw the manipulation of athlete's analytical results or sample swapping, with the active participation of the FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia), CSP (Centre of Sports, Preparation in Russia), and both Moscow and Sochi Laboratories."

Opinion: State-sponsored doping - Could it happen in New Zealand?

Urine samples of athletes competing at the London Olympics are checked (Getty Images)

So while the world has been quick to condemn Russia for this despicable web of lies and deceit, we're naïve if we think it could never happen in other countries, including our own.

So what measures are in place to ensure state-sponsored doping CAN’T happen here in New Zealand? Who's responsible for maintaining the integrity of our athletes and officials, and putting barriers in place to ensure this system is incorruptible? Indeed, is it incorruptible?

Sports and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and former Director General of the World Anti-Doping Authority David Howman will answer these questions when they join James McOnie and I on RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport after 3pm. Listen here www.radiolive.co.nz/ListenOnline.aspx

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