Three-time Olympic gold-winning swimmer Stephanie Rice believes it's impossible to stamp out drugs menace
Australia's three-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Stephanie Rice has said that it's impossible for sport to be totally dope-free but expressed shock at recent revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia.
Beijing heroes: Stephanie Rice and USA's eight-time gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps are all smiles after their success during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Pic/Getty Images
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'Russia not guilty alone'
In fact, the 28-year-old, who retired from competitive swimming in April 2014, felt it's not just Russia, but other countries too, who are into doping.
"The Russian doping scandal has come as a shock to me, but it's not only Russia, I'm sure it's happening in a number of other countries as well, Rice, who bagged gold medals in the 200m and 400m individual medley and 4×200m freestyle relay at the Beijing Games, told mid-day recently.
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) provisionally banned the Russian athletics federation from international competition in November 2015 following reports of the dope mess in December 2014. The Russians thereafter approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn the ban, but last week their plea was dismissed.
Stephanie Rice
Though the International Olympic Committee did not issue a blanket ban on all Russian athletes, they have laid down very strict criteria that they must fulfill to participate at the Rio Games.
Brisbane-born Rice, a triple bronze medalist at the World Aquatics Championship, said it's frustrating for clean athletes to lose to those who dope, but it's impossible to stop doping nevertheless.
"As a clean athlete, who has done so much hard work, you want to know that you are standing behind the block with an even playing field. You don't want to be beaten by someone who has cheated. That's very disappointing," said Rice, who retired from competitive swimming in April 2014.
'WADA doing its best'
"Doping is a never-ending thing. There will always be people, who will be pressured into it or choose to do it. WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) is doing their best to keep the sport clean, but it's impossible to think that it will be clean," added the two-time 2006 Melbourne CWG gold-winner, who is one of the expert panelists for Star Sports during the August 5 to 21 Rio Olympics.
Rice was one of the stars of the 2008 Games along with US swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a world record eight gold medals. After a brief retirement stint, the 31-year-old American made a comeback last year to competitive swimming and will be participating in the Brazil Games. And Rice is optimistic about his medal prospects.
"Phelps has been an incredible athlete. He probably needed some time off to think about his retirement and stuff, and then realised he wanted to keep going. I have no doubt he will come away with a gold or two," said Rice.
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