Ollan Cassell, photo by PhotoRun.net
TOKYO (JPN): A former IAAF vice-president has alleged that the number of positive drugs tests at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was “capped” at 12 despite a higher number of failures. According to Ollan Cassell, a member of the US gold medal winning 4×400 m relay team at Tokyo 1964 who later served 23 years at the world athletics body, the decision formed part of a pact between then IAAF head Primo Nebiolo and former IOC President, Juan Antonio Samaranch. This decision was reportedly taken in order to give the impression they were taking a strong anti-doping stance while avoiding too big of a scandal. Twelve positives were reported across the sports of athletics, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. Others have subsequently admitted to blood doping during the Games, although this was not made illegal until 1985. Informs insidethegames.
RunBlogRun opines: Ollan Cassell wrote his book, INSIDE THE FIVE RING CIRCUS Last year. I have read about one third of the book, and it is fascinating. Cassell knows the sport like few others, and his ability to influence the sport in the 1960s through the 1990s was rivaled by no one in the United States.
