The Australian Government’s peak sporting body, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), today said the findings of the Australian Crime Commission’s (ACC) report Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport provide an opportunity for sports to bolster their fight against doping and match fixing.

ASC Chair John Wylie noted the need for national sporting organisations to strengthen governance and boost the integrity of sport last year at the release of the Australia’s Winning Edge 2012-2022.

‘It is vital that our hunger for success cannot come at any cost and that the integrity of sport and our athletes is paramount,’ Mr Wylie said.

‘ASC investment is dependent on sports, athletes, coaches and support personnel demonstrating the highest possible standards of integrity in sport.’

Consistent with its leadership role of the sport’s sector, the Commission:

• will write to national sporting organisations to promote full cooperation with the undertakings of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the National Integrity of Sport Unit in regards to doping and match fixing
• has reminded all staff of the ASC and AIS that anyone with knowledge of illegal practices must come forward and provide information to investigations being conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the National Integrity of Sport Unit
• is contacting all AIS athletes to refresh them on their obligations and our zero tolerance approach to doping and criminal activity
• has begun developing a forum for our sports science professionals to ensure that our high standards in relation to athlete welfare and integrity are maintained. 

ASC CEO Simon Hollingsworth noted that Australia, and the AIS in particular, has an outstanding reputation in sports science.

‘Notwithstanding these developments, sport science has an important role to play in achieving sporting excellence. However, it must be done within the rules and always through the prism of integrity’ Mr Hollingsworth said.

‘Sports science must prioritise athlete safety whilst being WADA compliant. These principles underpin the AIS approach to integrity driven sports science and are backed by the necessity of evidence-based and peer-reviewed research in all our work.’