Latest news with #SouthAfricanInstituteforDrugFreeSport
Daily Maverick
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Rabada's recreational drug use admission should be seen as a warning sign and possible cry for help
Fast-bowling superstar Kagiso Rabada needs support as he returns to play after a positive drugs test. Last week, South Africa's leading fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, admitted to failing a drug test, which found a recreational drug in his system. The test, conducted by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (Saids), took place on 21 January during the SA20 competition. Rabada found out about the positive test a few months later – on 1 April – while on duty for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He didn't contest the finding and waived the right for a B-sample to be analysed, clearly knowing he was responsible. That might seem like a small detail but it's actually significant. Recreational drug use is mostly illegal as they're almost always obtained nefariously. You don't go down to the pharmacy and buy over-the-counter cocaine or ecstasy. In many cases, recreational drug use is also detrimental to the user. But in a sporting context, this category of narcotics is not performance enhancing. A report by the University of Sydney published in 2024 is just one source that quashes the idea that cocaine, for instance, can be performance enhancing. 'Athletes may use cocaine to improve focus, endurance, or to increase confidence, which it is claimed could provide them with an unfair advantage,' the reports states. 'However, despite the perceived benefits, it is highly unlikely an athlete would use it for performance enhancement. This is because the duration of the euphoric sensation is relatively brief, maybe as short as 15 to 30 minutes, and often followed by a rapid decline in mood and energy levels. 'The cocaine would also likely affect their judgement and decision-making, an important aspect of ball sports.' Rabada case Rabada's conduct has been mature in the wake of a stupid act. This is not systematic doping to gain a competitive edge. It appears to be a one-off moment of weakness/experimentation that is both believable and plausible, which the player has accepted. Immediately Rabada took responsibility and was ready to front up to a mistake. And this is where the line is blurred because people are quick to be moral police and demonise Rabada because he used some form of recreational drug. The circumstances and reasons that he took a recreational drug are not really the business of the media or the public. The fact that he was found to have taken a recreational drug, during a popular tournament and as a high-profile person, is certainly newsworthy and in the public interest. Hence the reporting on the matter. And because Rabada violated the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) regulations, it automatically triggered a cascade of events and bureaucratic procedures. Lenient sentence? Let's fast forward slightly. Rabada has only been slapped with an effective one-month ban for this violation, which on the face of it seems lenient. There have been cases where sportspeople have received two-year suspensions after being found guilty of recreational drug use. So why not in this case? The reason is straightforward – a change in policy. Wada has softened its stance on recreational drug bans because they are not performance enhancing. And while this type of action does violate the guiding principle of 'the spirit of sport', the 'crime' doesn't really warrant a potentially career-ending ban. In 2021, Wada altered its own Code when it came to the 'spirit of sport', essentially admitting that they could not be the moral guardians of people's lifestyles. The key change in the 2021 Wada Code was the introduction of a new category called 'substances of abuse'. This category specifically includes substances that are frequently abused in society outside of the context of sport. That change in policy and philosophy meant that while recreational drugs remained on the banned list, they would be tried without the added burden of the 'spirit of sport' clause. Wada's central objective is to stop people cheating in sport due to using performance-enhancing drugs. It's almost impossible to make a case for recreational drugs doubling up as substances that improve sporting prowess. Under the previous version of the Code, testing positive for these substances could result in a ban of up to two or even four years, depending on the specific substance and circumstances. However, the updated Code stated that if an athlete tests positive for a 'substance of abuse' during an in-competition test but can establish that the ingestion or use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility would be a standard three months. Furthermore, this three-month period could be reduced to just one month if the athlete satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment programme approved by the relevant anti-doping organisation. It's important to note that even under the amended Code, if the recreational drug was taken 'in-competition' a two-year ban could still apply. Wheels in motion So when Rabada heard of the outcome of his test conducted by Saids, a legal process kicked in. And because South African players are well represented by the South African Cricketers' Association, Rabada was able to mobilise significant legal and medical resources to prove that this was a regrettable mistake. First, he needed to prove the drug was taken 'out of competition', which is defined as midnight, the night before a match. That required experts in toxicology to look at the metabolites in Rabada's sample to map out the timeline of when the drug was ingested in relation to when he was due to play again. He was able to prove that he didn't take the substance 'in competition' thanks to markers in his sample and the analysis of medical experts. The findings of Rabada's team were scrutinised by the prosecution (under Saids) and were accepted as 'out-of-competition'. That is the brief version of how Rabada was suspended for three months, which was reduced to a month after he underwent counselling. Future Of course, this incident will raise uncomfortable questions for Rabada and his inner circle. And it will no doubt lead to some heavy sledging when South Africa meets Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next month. It was an act of stupidity and poor judgement. The incident has also hurt Rabada's previously clean image and will no doubt have ramifications for his multiple off-field sponsorships, which he might lose or will have to work hard to retain. Most concerningly though, is Rabada okay? Is this a symptom of deeper problems – of the loneliness of being on the road and of the constant pressure to perform? It appears it was a one-off transgression, but it's opened a door to a road filled with potholes and danger for one of South Africa's sporting heroes. Rabada has been handed a relatively light punishment for a potentially serious offence. That's the good news.
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘It stinks': Ex-skipper calls out secret drug ban
The secret process that will allow superstar South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada take on Australia in the World Test Championship final despite a positive drugs test has been called out by former Test captain Tim Paine, who says it 'stinks'. Rabada could be back playing in the IPL in India this week after being ushered home from the tournament for 'personal reasons' before revelations of his positive test to a recreational drug was revealed. The positive test was recorded during the South African T20 league in January, but Rabada went to India and played for Gujarat Titans before taking a 'provisional suspension' that is now over. Under World Anti-Doping Authority regulations, a positive test is regarded as 'out of competition' if the player can prove that the drug use took place before 11.59pm on the eve of competition and was not intended to enhance performance. That could then reduce the penalty to three months from anywhere up to four years and to as little as a month should Rabada complete a drug treatment program. With that box seemingly ticked, Rabada will be back in action and in time to take on Australia at Lord's in the WTC final in July. Paine slammed the secrecy around the process that has been run by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. 'It stinks,' Paine said on SEN Radio on Monday. 'Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out of the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban. 'Not only will he play against Australia in the World Test Championship, but he's available to be playing now in the IPL. Kagiso Rabada is free to play Australia. AP Photo/Ajit Solanki Credit: News Corp Australia 'No one knew about what he's taken, what he was given or who the organising body was that oversaw it. 'If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it, I think people deserve to know what he's taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it (the suspension). People need to be held to account for stuff like that.' Rabada revealed the ordeal himself across the weekend. 'I couldn't have gone through this alone,' Rabada said. 'I'd like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I'd also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel.'
News.com.au
05-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Former Australian captain Tim Paine lashes process that will allow Kagiso Rabada to play Australia after positive drug test
The secret process that will allow superstar South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada take on Australia in the World Test Championship final despite a positive drugs test has been called out by former Test captain Tim Paine, who says it 'stinks'. Rabada could be back playing in the IPL in India this week after being ushered home from the tournament for 'personal reasons' before revelations of his positive test to a recreational drug was revealed. The positive test was recorded during the South African T20 league in January, but Rabada went to India and played for Gujarat Titans before taking a 'provisional suspension' that is now over. Under World Anti-Doping Authority regulations, a positive test is regarded as 'out of competition' if the player can prove that the drug use took place before 11.59pm on the eve of competition and was not intended to enhance performance. That could then reduce the penalty to three months from anywhere up to four years and to as little as a month should Rabada complete a drug treatment program. With that box seemingly ticked, Rabada will be back in action and in time to take on Australia at Lord's in the WTC final in July. Paine slammed the secrecy around the process that has been run by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. 'It stinks,' Paine said on SEN Radio on Monday. 'Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out of the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban. 'Not only will he play against Australia in the World Test Championship, but he's available to be playing now in the IPL. 'No one knew about what he's taken, what he was given or who the organising body was that oversaw it. 'If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it, I think people deserve to know what he's taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it (the suspension). People need to be held to account for stuff like that.' Rabada revealed the ordeal himself across the weekend. 'I couldn't have gone through this alone,' Rabada said. 'I'd like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I'd also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel.'
Sydney Morning Herald
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It stinks': Paine questions Rabada drugs episode
Former Australian captain Tim Paine has questioned the process under which South Africa's Kagiso Rabada tested positive for recreational drug use but is set to return to play as early as this week after serving a suspension. Rabada revealed on Saturday night that a positive drugs test and subsequent provisional ban were the reasons why he abruptly left the Indian Premier League at the end of March. The positive test was recorded during the South Africa Twenty20 league in January. While apologising for his actions, Rabada also indicated that 'I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing'. The South African Institute for Drug Free Sport is set to clarify Rabada's case later on Monday, but the 29-year-old fast bowler has already returned to the Indian Premier League and may play as soon as this week for Gujarat Titans. He will then be eligible to play in the world Test championship final against Australia at Lord's in June. Paine questioned how the episode was handled. Loading 'It stinks,' Paine said on his SEN Radio breakfast show. 'I don't like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn't a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman that's tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn't fall under personal issues for me. 'That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life. 'Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban.'
The Age
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘It stinks': Paine questions Rabada drugs episode
Former Australian captain Tim Paine has questioned the process under which South Africa's Kagiso Rabada tested positive for recreational drug use but is set to return to play as early as this week after serving a suspension. Rabada revealed on Saturday night that a positive drugs test and subsequent provisional ban were the reasons why he abruptly left the Indian Premier League at the end of March. The positive test was recorded during the South Africa Twenty20 league in January. While apologising for his actions, Rabada also indicated that 'I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing'. The South African Institute for Drug Free Sport is set to clarify Rabada's case later on Monday, but the 29-year-old fast bowler has already returned to the Indian Premier League and may play as soon as this week for Gujarat Titans. He will then be eligible to play in the world Test championship final against Australia at Lord's in June. Paine questioned how the episode was handled. Loading 'It stinks,' Paine said on his SEN Radio breakfast show. 'I don't like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn't a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman that's tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn't fall under personal issues for me. 'That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life. 'Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban.'
