Frequent tests are catching more dope offenders says legendary high jumper Javier Sotomayor, who was in the capital
NEW DELHI: The rising cases of doping in international athletics is not an indication of enhanced use of banned substances but a result of increased frequency of tests, feels former Olympic champion and world record holding high-jumper Javier Sotomayor.
The 40-year-old Cuban, who won a gold medal on his Olympic debut in Barcelona (1992) and a silver in the 2000 Sydney edition, said with increased tests the number of athletes caught doping had gone up.
“The growing number does not show an increased usage of banned drugs. The positive dope tests have risen simply because the testing has become more frequent,” Sotomayor, who is in the capital as brand ambassador for the third Vodafone Half Marathon, said on Wednesday.
“During my career I was tested about 200 times but now the testing happens more often. The process has intensified over the years and that explains the increased number of cases coming out in open,” he further added.
On high-profile athletes like Marion Jones getting caught in the doping web, Sotomayor said the American’s case was shocking but was in no way indicative of the US becoming a doping safe haven.
“She was an Olympic champion and therefore it got all the international media attention but I don’t think doping is an issue only for the United States. It is a question which is facing the entire world,” he said.
The legendary high-jumper, who continues to hold the record of the highest jump (2.45m) which he set in 1993, does not know much about Indian athletics but feels there are things that can be learnt here from the Cuban model.
“Cuba has a dedicated sports policy and the facilities are really very good. Children there aspire to be athletes. The role models are also there and coaches are a vital part of the system,” Sotomayor said explaining the Communist nation’s recipe for success in international athletics.
“I was invited to India on a couple of occasions but could not come because of my international engagements. But India has a Cuban boxing coach and I think there are a couple of athletics trainers as well,” he added.
The effervescent Cuban does not forsee his long-standing world record being broken anytime soon because of the falling standards in international high-jumping.
“Standard of high jumping has gone down. In my days there were several others who could have jumped that high but it is not the case now. People know that they will win if they touch 2.40 so they don’t attempt higher. This has created a mental barrier,” he said.
