Olympics: Fraser calls for life ban on drug users

The much-vaunted Australian relay side confessed to taking Stilnox, which is banned by Australian team officials.

SYDNEY: Veteran Australian swimming star Dawn Fraser yesterday urged a lifelong competition ban for members of the London Olympics 4x100 relay team who last week admitted taking prohibited sleeping pills.

The much-vaunted Australian relay side, who talked themselves up as the ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ but failed to make a podium finish, confessed to taking Stilnox – banned by Australian team officials – for a ‘bonding’ night.

Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser, winner of eight Olympic medals including four gold between 1956-64, said the group should be barred from competition for life.

“Those people who take drugs in sport should be banned forever, not to ever be allowed to come back into sport, especially in this example,” said Fraser.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2013.