Peter Bol’s focus solely on 2024 Olympics after drug scandal saga

Peter Bol has welcomed new Athletics Australia boss Jane Flemming’s scathing condemnation of his nightmare drug scandal, as he turns his eyes towards the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Aussie track star Peter Bol has welcomed new Athletics Australia boss Jane Flemming’s scathing condemnation of his nightmare drug scandal.

Melbourne based Bol – a green and gold hero of the Tokyo Olympics – was in August cleared of doping allegations after a provisional suspension in a debacle Aussie sporting great Flemming last week labelled “horrendous”.

Bol told the Herald Sun he was trying to move past the scandal in pursuit of Olympic glory in Paris next year.

“I’m in the right mindset,’’ he said.

“Put everything behind me.

“You’ve got to be in the right mindset heading to next year because it is a one percenter’s game.

“Everyone is there physically but it is whoever is there mentally that takes the win.’’

Bol was initially suspended for a positive drug test earlier this year. Picture: Michael Klein

But he said having dual Olympic heptathlon star Fleming back him – and the support of the Australian public – helped him deal with the trauma of being wrongly branded a drug cheat.

“It is great that she supports me and it’s the support we want,’’ he said.

“Not just for myself but any athlete going through anything.

“I appreciate her comments and look forward to next year.’’

Bol was provisionally suspended in January after a positive test to EPO but cleared a month later after his B-sample result proved inconclusive.

Sports Integrity Australia did not exonerate him until August 1, in a move Flemming blamed on red tape.

“God forbid any of our other athletes have to go through the horrendous experience that Peter has gone through,” Flemming said last week.

“Definitely something was broken during that process that needs to be fixed.”

Speaking at a Piper-Heidsieck champagne Australian Open tennis launch on Thursday, Bol said Flemming publicly supporting him meant a lot.

“It’s good, that is kind of what you want,’’ he said.

“I’m just happy to get back on the track, especially with next year being a big year.

“I’m training well, everything is going to plan.’’

Bol welcomed Flemming’s support. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Bol, who finished fourth in the 1500m in Tokyo, said he was determined to achieve a podium finish in Paris so had to put the drug scandal behind him.

“It’s a big one – I came fourth last Olympics so I think the question is can you do one better or get on the podium,’’ he said.

“One better is the podium so I’m looking forward to doing that.

“Gold is the goal but the podium is where you want to be.’’

Originally published as Peter Bol’s focus solely on 2024 Olympics after drug scandal saga