Top cop hired to tackle Games cheats
A SENIOR decorated federal police officer experienced in busting terrorists and drug dealers has been appointed to head the anti-doping authority ahead of the Commonwealth Games to help stamp out cheats.
David Sharpe, previously an Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner, will be announced as Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s new chief executive officer. He replaces Ben McDevitt.
Sports Minister Greg Hunt, who will make the announcement today, has moved to apply a blowtorch to elite sport, especially in the lead-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“The Commonwealth Games will be a momentous sporting event for our nation,” Mr Hunt said.
“Australians rightly expect the Games to include the most stringent checks and testing for every athlete.
“As we get closer to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, we all want to see athletes do well and achieve their potential, but we also want to continue to be confident that all competition is clean and fair.”
Mr Hunt said ASADA’s deterrence, detection and enforcement role to prevent doping in sport was critical.