ISC: No Irish doping epidemic
Martin Fagan, who represented Ireland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and was aiming to qualify for the London Games this year, yesterday admitted he was guilty of taking the blood-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO).
The 28-year-old will appear before an Athletics Ireland hearing and the Irish Sports Council in Dublin today. He is set to acknowledge his offence, which carries a mandatory two-year ban.
The Irish Sports Council declined to discuss the specifics of the Fagan case ahead of today’s meeting in the capital. However spokesman Paul McDermott said this country is at the forefront in the battle against doping.
McDermott said: “Ireland does not have a particular problem with doping, results are reported every year and are consistent with international norms. The council has a robust testing regime which it hopes serves to reassure the Irish public that Ireland’s competitors at the Olympic and Paralympics Games are clean.”
He continued: “The council works closely with partner agencies internationally to ensure all Irish athletes, at home or abroad, are fully covered by the Irish anti-doping programme.
“It pays particular attention to athletes who are qualified or seeking to qualify for the Olympics.”
The Mullingar athlete, based in the US, was caught during an out-of-competition test in Arizona on Christmas Eve, with McDermott revealing: “The test was a carried out on behalf of the Irish Sports Council by the USADA under the Irish programme.”
Fagan claimed depression, financial worries and injury had led him to take the drug, which he purchased over the internet and used on one occasion. The Mullingar man also revealed he had contemplated suicide and had been on medication.
Fagan told The Irish Times: “When you’re already on medication you’re in that mentality, that I can take something to get through this, to fix this. That’s when I thought of EPO. That was my medication, the chemical I needed. I never would have even contemplated that before.
“That was something else I know I should have spoken to someone about, but I didn’t think I had that option. I only cared about the running. It was my last hope. And I never once thought I was taking EPO to cheat, or to break a world record, or anything like that. I didn’t even take EPO to win anything. I just wanted to feel good again, to get back to normal. This positive test, the ban, is only the small issue. The bigger issue for me is getting myself mentally right. I know that’s going to take time but I know I’m around the right people, my family, and friends.”
He added: “I can handle the blame, what it’s done to my career. But I hate what it’s done to all the other people, my family, the other Irish athletes. Because it’s all my doing, purely selfish. But when you’re contemplating suicide you just don’t think about all those other things.”
On Fagan’s claims he felt isolated in Arizona, McDermott pointed out: “Each high performance sport has a performance plan that covers competitors based in Ireland and abroad. Elite athletes are provided with a comprehensive science, medicine and psychological support service.” Despite Fagan’s admittance of guilt, McDermott said formal procedures will be carried out before any further comment can be made. He explained: “The independent disciplinary panel will hear the case. An announcement will be issued as soon as a decision is reached.”
Last night a number of high profile athletes and coaches tweeted on the issue with the majority expressing hope Martin Fagan can receive help to deal with his depression.
Irish Olympic hopeful Mark Christie tweeted: “I wish to add my 100% support to Martin Fagan in this time of struggle. I feel very strongly against drugs in sport & I do not condone them. I have known Martin for nearly 20 yrs & have always known him to have strong anti-drug opinions. His frame of mind was clearly not right. Hopefully something positive comes out of this tragedy, greater awareness of depression & mental health and that Martin gets himself healthy.”
Irish Olympian Colin Griffin: “There’s bigger problems in sport than drugs. I wish Martin Fagan well and hope he gets the help and support he needs.”
British marathon runner Scott Overall: “Spent this morning thinking about Martin Fagan, no excuses he should never havetaken drugs, but clearly a friend in need.”
Irish Olympian Thomas Chamney: “All I hope for is lessons learned from Fagan. Athletes need much better support in the darkest of times. Without it, mistakes can happen.”
Both Athletics Ireland and the Irish Olympic Council declined to comment last night.
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