THE AUSTRALIAN ANTI-doping authority (ASADA) has lodged an official complaint over a new TV ad for betting company Sportsbet which features Olympic drug cheat Ben Johnson.
The campaign, tagged “putting the ‘roid into Android” has also been the subject of complaints from politicians and the sporting community in Australia.
It features Johnson, in his role as a 48-hour Olympic champion, extolling the virtues of having an unfair advantage, along with a number of actors who are not unlike disgraced sports stars.
However, ASADA do not see the funny side of it.
Acting chief executive Judy Lind said in a statement to the Hearld Sun: “This advert makes light of the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport and sends the completely wrong message that the use of drugs in sport is normal.”
This advertising campaign belittles the achievements of clean athletes and denigrates those who work to protect clean sport across the world.”
She also confirmed it had written to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to complain.
R.I.P.
@Mícheál Moran: awful news, heart goes out to his family
Tragic news. Thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace.
That’s so sad
I just felt ridiculously sad reading that.. 41 year old former athlete. Cancer is so horrible, we all must know someone touched by it.
Terrible news. Why does life have to be so cruel to those so young. May he rest in peace
R. I. P.
Condolences to family & friends.
Very sad news. God love his family. No doubt he fought this like he played football… he gave it everything.
Very disrespectful to call him ‘O’Connor’ instead of his first name. Shame on you at the Journal
@Carol Cunningham: actually change my post to ‘Shame on you Fintan O’Brien’
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@Carol Cunningham: I don’t think any disrespect was meant. Usually sports stars are referred to by their surname.
@Carol Cunningham: calm down
@Carol Cunningham: Christ, you have a lot to be complaining about. Maybe just leave your sympathies to this man’s family and be done with it. A journalist calling him by his surname as would be done when he was a player is hardly disrespectful to the man. The piece is well written and strikes the right tone.
Clearly a good man in every field of life. Condolences to his wife and young children, it’s always heart breaking to see someone so young and strong taken from all that knew and loved him. He was a fine player RIP
May he rest in peace
Terrible parallels with the 1990 team. RIP Kieran. So sad this evening
RIP.
Rip kieran.all Ireland winner.
Jesus that’s terrible news. Saw him a good few times playing with cork & he was a tough competitor. Condolences to his family & friends at this tough time RIP
Rip Kieran. A gentleman.
Condolences to Kierans family and friends. So sad to see someone so young taken from us. Rip
RIP.
Terrible news. RIP.
A tragically young age. RIP
So sad.
Great player from a great club.
Condolences to his family.
R.I.P.
Terrible news.rip keiran..
Mo chomhbhrón
God bless good sir
Very sad News,fought hard tough battle with bravery & Grace,my condolences to the family & close friends!
RIP
Rest in peace .
God rest his soul and give his family strength at this difficult time rip.
Can I just say how much of a class act Davy Russell is.
Great ambassador for Cork Football and so sad for his family & community. Condolences.
R.I.P