Where is the chorus of disapproval now? Some of the loudest noises during the Michelle de Bruin saga came from Australia. Anxious to keep the image of the Sydney Olympic Games pure, Australia have deliberately positioned themselves as world leaders in the global fight against drugs and cheating in sport. Top coaches have urged a tough line on the issue and, at the Perth World Swimming Championships earlier this year, engaged in the biggest drugs bust outside that of the Tour de France.

Why now is there procrastination over Festina Team rider Neil Stephens, who is part of the Australian Team at the Commonwealth Games. Stephens was a member of a professional team who not only engaged in the systematic abuse of EPO to improve performances but actually donated a percentage of their wage packets to pay for the stuff. He claims that he thought that all of the injections he received were vitamins!