Athletics remains the most tested sport in the anti-doping fight, but many sports remain low on the list.
Sport Ireland anti-doping released their report for 2022, reporting tests up and zero violations. However, a deeper dive reveals scope for the cheats!
The 32 sports which Sport Ireland oversee, saw 1,415 drug tests conducted in 2022. 218 tests were carried out on athletes or 15% of the total tests.
In second place was Rugby with 14%, followed by cycling with 13%. GAA and Rowing Ireland shared fourth place with 10%.
However, the 1,415 tests is the headline figure carried out by Sport Ireland. Sporting bodies can request additional tests, which makes further interesting reading.
Sport Ireland carried out a further 196 tests at the request of sporting bodies. The IRFU requested 18 and Athletics Ireland six. These were the only two Irish governing bodies to request additional tests.
While, World Rugby account for 90 of the tests conducted and World Athletics accounted for 16.
These tests carried out by world governing bodies mainly relate to competitions taking place in Ireland, such as the World Racing Walking championship.
Whereas, Sport Ireland conducted tests at the request of UK anti-doping (18) and USA Anti-doping (6).
While the numbers for testing’s are up, the testing of the available player pool compared to tests is a more relative barometer.
For instance 60 anti-doping test where carried out on players affiliated to the FAI. However, if you take into account that each league of Ireland team has a panel of 25 players.
That would mean of the approximate 450 players in the League of Ireland, just 60 tests were conducted. Meaning just 13% of league of Ireland players were subjected to an anti-doping test. The number would be further diluted with the addition of underage players.
Just 140 GAA players were tested
The same is similar for inter-county GAA players. 140 tests were carried out on the GAA player pool.
As 33 football and 29 hurling teams compete in the championship. With panels at 25 on average, that means 725 athletes competed in elite hurling and football. Of that pool just 19% of the senior player pool was tested. This figure doesn’t include U20 or minor players.
Including those players, the number works out at just 6%.
However the number of tests taking place in the big sports, is slightly misleading the overall report.
Ladies football comes in at number 23 of the 32 sports with just eight tests. While golf accounts for just six tests.
Basketball is number 30 on the list with four, the same number as the camogie association. There are 28 men’s and 23 women’s team competing at national basketball level.
No the doubt the system is improving, but it still has a way to go.
