Dick Pound: “There Is A Lot More Cheating Going On In Sport Than Most People Ever Thought.”

In an exclusive interview by Matt Majendie from the Independent in the United Kingdom, Majendie writes that former WADA chief Dick Pound believes cheating will never be eradicated and that he is ready to shock the world with new revelations.

The following are excerpts from Matt Majendie’s article:

Dick Pound is a realist. There was never a moment he thought the fight against doping would ever be won but despite no prospect of victory the former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency is unrelenting in his quest to eradicate whatever cheats he can.

Two weeks on from the publication of the damning investigation by the Wada independent commission he chaired into systemic doping within Russia, the septuagenarian is partially satisfied his recommendations have been adhered to.

But he remains resigned to the fact the cheating will continue in Russia and further afield.

“I don’t think we’ll ever hit this for six,” he says of the wider malaise of global doping. “There’s going to be a series of small and steady victories. I think one of our small victories is making people aware that there is a lot more cheating going on in sport than most people ever thought.”

The extent of cheating going on in Russian athletics – the remit of the commission investigation – produced explosive headlines and he knows he is sitting on more equally eye-catching revelations.

The outcome of second part of the investigation delving into the IAAF, which paved the way for the arrest of its former president Lamine Diack and ex-head of anti-doping Gabriel Dollé and is now in the hands of the French authorities, and the 15,000 leaked blood samples is pending.

And Pound warned: “When we release this information to the world, there will be a wow factor. I think people will say how on earth could this happen? It’s a complete betrayal of what the people in charge of the sport should be doing.”

The intimation is that the level of doping and corruption – and hence those complicit in it – was far wider than has been revealed to date.

And as for wider doping, he adds: “This is a proper fight and no matter how many sad tales you hear of tainted supplements that’s nothing compared to the planned, organized and well-financed cheating that occurs. That’s not accidental.

“So we’re turning over rocks people don’t want to be turned over, and that way you set yourself as a target for the bad guys.”

But the hope is there will be a wider impact as a result of the revelations in Geneva.

“Yeah, it could be the start of something good,” he says while also resigned to the fact that it will not fully eradicate the problem calling on the International Olympic Committee to make more funds available to Wada to undertake further investigations.

A swimmer in his youth, Pound was a four-time Canadian freestyle champion and competed at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He also won four Commonwealth medals, including one gold, in 1962

After retiring from swimming, he became secretary of the Canadian Olympic Committee and latterly its president from 1977 to 1982.

In 1999, he became the founding president of World Anti-Doping Agency, served the role until 2007 and remains a member of the foundation board.

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Pablo Valedon

8 years ago

I’ve always suspected it way back in the 70’s. So not surprised.

Lance Robinson

8 years ago

Oh i can be so immature at times!!!

Diana Correa

8 years ago

Nothing new here.

Steve Genter

8 years ago

Good show Dick. Keep turning over those rocks.

Julie Delapena

8 years ago

I stopped paying attention after reading Dick Pound…hehe

Zane Rademaker

8 years ago

Is this guys name serious?

rob davis

8 years ago

Really, a failure one commentator to read this article on a major issue in sport over the name of Mr. Pound? I suggest she read the entire article. This gentleman was not only an Olympian and an accomplished lawyer, but has advanced swimming and sports in numerous areas.