Organisers happy as Games begin under drug cloud

As day one of the Commonwealth Games gets under way, those in charge of last night’s opening ceremony have hailed the event as a success.

At a press conference this morning, Victorian premier Steve Bracks said that the ceremony had been well received locally and overseas, suggesting it was the “most spectacular event in Melbourne’s history.”

But while competition has begun in a number of sports including swimming, badminton and rugby sevens, a drug cloud is already looming over the Games.

Last night it was revealed that drug substances and paraphernalia were discovered at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where the Australian weightlifting and cycling teams had been staying, as well as a number of teams from Canada and Wales.

In a press conference held moments ago, federal Minister for Sport Rod Kemp confirmed that the items were found, and that an investigation is under way by the newly-formed Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) into the matter.

The latest findings come in the midst of an investigation by into Australian weightlifting representative Belinda van Tienan who has been accused of supplying drugs to rival competitors, who have since been banned.

Related Article:

Games open in Spectacular style (Wed Mar 15)

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!