Cocaine in sport: Why it’s the drug of choice for elite athletes

Athletes all over Australia have been caught with the glamorised white powder, but what's so special about cocaine?

The relationship between elite athletes and cocaine is simple: it’s their drug of choice.

Athletes all over Australia have been caught with the glamorised white powder.

It has also seen them face serious consequences.

Since 2014 at least eight elite athletes in Queensland have been embroiled in cocaine scandals.

But why do they do it, and should there be more emphasis on trying to stamp out drugs in sport?

Senior lecturer at Deakin University Matthew Dunn said while he doesn’t think athletes using the drug is as prevalent as the general population, it still “boggles the mind.”

“They get a lot of education around this, what is and isn’t allowed,” Mr Dunn said.

“They forget they are still members of society and I think they forget despite no matter how many medals you’ve won, how many premierships you’ve won, when a drug tester knocks on your door, they don’t care about that.”
Cocaine is not only tested by sporting codes for health reasons but it is tested by Sports Integrity Australia, formerly ASADA, and considered a performance enhancing drug by the World Anti-Doping Association.

University of Technology Sydney associate professor Daryl Adair said cocaine was generally seen as a “safer” option for athletes because it was in their system for only 24 to 48 hours.

“Anecdotally, cocaine is a drug of choice for elite athletes. Equally, though, it’s also a drug of choice for white-collar professionals in business,” Mr Adair said.

“After all, Australia has one of the highest per capita rates of cocaine consumption in the world.”

Both academics agreed the testing methods around cocaine in sport could be improved.

“The current policies by the EPL. AFL, and NRL are preferable to WADA’s lack of interest in illicit drugs outside of match day,” Mr Adair said.

“They could be improved, such as with routine hair testing – which gives information about drug use for around 3 months. But too often the policies attract reactionary, rather than thoughtful criticism.”

Mr Dunn however thinks they should be taken off the list of enhancing drugs completely.

“Using cannabis or cocaine is not cheating, I don’t think those substances should be on the (Sports Integrity Australia) prohibited list,” Mr Dunn said.

“I think sports are doing the best they can and if testing their athletes is one avenue then that’s what they need to do but I think it’s what they do then that is what is important.”

A spokesman from Sports Integrity Australia said: “The health and wellbeing of athletes is at the forefront of what we do”

“This is reflected in recent changes to the World Anti-Doping Code which came into effect on 1 January 2021,” he said.

“These changes better take into account treatment options for illicit drug use where it is unconnected to sporting performance.”

WHITE LINE FEVER

Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor – Former NRL player

Pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cocaine during his time at the Titans in late 2014 and was fined $1000, but a conviction was not recorded. Taylor was caught up in a Crime and Corruption Commission cocaine investigation which also netted code-hopping star Karmichael Hunt and other Titans players. The court heard he was allegedly supplied the drug in August and September 2014 by accused cocaine kingpin John Touma, a former Sydney Roosters NRL player who was sentenced to nine years’ jail for supplying and trafficking drugs. Crown prosecutor Mark Whitbread said the quantity of cocaine Taylor had in his possession was “clearly for personal use”.

Jason Smith

Jason Smith – Former NRL player

Pleaded guilty to downgraded charges of possessing cocaine in 2014 and was sentenced to three years imprisonment – but released immediately on parole – for buying 6.5 ounces of the drug. The court was told Smith bought the cocaine from accused cocaine kingpin John Touma between June and November 2014. Smith was initially charged with trafficking in the wake of a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into the drug ring that also triggered charges against a number of other high-profile football identities, several of whom had their charges dismissed. The trafficking charge against Smith was dropped.

Karmichael Hunt

Karmichael Hunt – NRL, AFL and Super Rugby superstar.

Hunt was fined $2500 in March 4, 2015 after he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession. No conviction was recorded. He was also fined $30,000 by the Australian Rugby Union and suspended for six weeks. Hunt pleaded guilty to four counts of the lesser charges of possessing cocaine, after he was originally charged with supplying the drug. Outside court, Hunt said: “Obviously I’m relieved with the outcome today. It has been a difficult couple of weeks for myself and my family.

Ben Barba

Ben Barba – Former NRL player

Barba tested positive to cocaine following the Cronulla Sharks 2016 Grand Final victory. He was released from his contract and banned for 12 games. He was not charged with an offence.

James O'Connor

James O’Connor – Rugby union

The Wallabies and Queensland Reds player was fined by police for using cocaine, not for buying or possessing it, in Paris in 2017. French club Toulon did not renew his contract and he later returned to Australia

James Slipper

James Slipper – Rugby union

Banned by Rugby Australia for two-months and fined $27,500 for testing positive to cocaine twice 2018.