Olympic scandal - Lombard coverage has been fair

FOR Cathal Lombard to suggest his story was blown out of all proportion in a trial by media reflects incredible naivety on his part.

The same may be said of his claim to have been misrepresented in statements attributed to him. The only statement attributed to him up to yesterday was that reported in this newspaper by our athletics correspondent Brendan Mooney, who broke the story.

The statements which he made were in no way misrepresented or distorted. In fact, the coverage was fair and accurate.

The bald facts are that he flagrantly flouted the anti-drugs laws of world athletics. In his favour, it has to be said, he admitted it.

Indeed, when this newspaper exclusively carried his story, the news reports were accompanied by editorial recognition of his courage to admit his wrongdoing.

To now shoot the messenger is entirely unwarranted.

Surely, as an international runner and, even more to the point, as a solicitor, he realised the gravity of taking EPO, the banned performance-enhancing substance.

Suspended, he is soon to be stripped of his Irish 10,000m record, which he wants annulled and returned to its true holder, Mark Carroll. His track career lies in tatters.

The degree to which his actions reflect negatively on the sport in Ireland is mirrored in the stern condemnation issued by his club, Leevale.

It makes clear that his behaviour was at variance with the principles and ethos of the club. Above all, he betrayed its cherished motto and its message to young people - believe and you can achieve.

But it is to the disgraced athlete’s further credit that he has forfeited the right to an analysis of the “B” sample and will also forego his right to a hearing under the Irish Anti-Doping Rules by acknowledging his violation of the rules.

Accepting the fact that a provisional suspension will be imposed on him, he has offered to allow the process to proceed under the Anti-Doping Rules.

Such a forthright approach is admirable given that the routine response of drugs cheats is to initially deny any wrongdoing until they can no longer hide.

Hopefully, Lombard’s belief that athletics in Ireland is generally a clean sport, reflects the truth. But as we now know, with money and fame at stake, doping is endemic on the international scene.

Lombard’s love of the sport is not in doubt. His statement of regret, and recognition that what he has done is very negative, are convincing.

Hopefully, the Lombard scandal will not distract other Irish athletes as they look forward to Friday’s opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics 2004.

The ultimate irony is that Lombard has said he is strongly against doping in sport and wishes to join the fight against doping.

The intriguing prospect of Lombard becoming an ambassador against doping in sport is an idea worthy of serious consideration.

What better witness can there be than someone who has been through the maelstrom of testing positive?

Who better to advise aspiring young athletes on the evil of drugs in sport than a runner who has experienced the sweet taste of fame and success and the bitter taste of disgrace and failure?