Asia PR News

SYDNEY, August 31/Medianet International-AsiaNet/–

This statement is in response to today’s announcement by the Australian Sports
Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

Ian Thorpe’s manager, David Flaskas said, “We are pleased with the results from
the ASADA investigation, which found there was no case to answer and that ASADA
consider the matter closed.

We were also pleased that ASADA consulted independent experts from
internationally respected organisations and they were unanimous in their
opinion that there was no evidence of the use of performance enhancing
substances by Ian Thorpe.

We always believed this would be the outcome and Ian’s reputation as a fair
competitor would be affirmed,” he said.

Mr Flaskas said that Ian Thorpe was holidaying overseas but he was able to
speak with him this morning.

Ian said: “My reputation as a fair competitor in swimming is the thing I value
most.

I have been deeply touched by all the messages I’ve received from Australians
and people all over the world who let me know they believed in me.

I would especially like to thank my family and friends, who have stood by me. I
would also like to thank the swimming fraternity and athletes from all sports
who have supported me.

I have always been, and remain, a strong supporter of anti-doping testing. I
firmly believe drugs have no place in sport.”

“I took my obligations to comply with the anti-doping codes very seriously and
prided myself on this,” said Ian.

Flaskas expressed his thanks to Tony O’Reilly and his team for their dedication.

“On behalf of Ken and Margaret Thorpe and the entire Thorpe family, we would
like to thank everyone who sent their well wishes to Ian,” Flaskas said.

Commenting on the matter, Ian’s lawyer, Tony O’Reilly said,
“While we stand by the testing process, I’d like to remind people the routine
results management process should have been confidential. Ian was denied his
right to confidentiality due to an information leak. This breach of
confidentiality jeopardises the integrity of the entire testing code.”

“Ian still regards this information as private and confidential and he has only
agreed to disclose the outcome of what is a confidential process because of the
intense media interest that the breach has provoked,” he said.

Due to the anticipated high level of national and international media interest
arising out of the ASADA announcement, Ian Thorpe’s advisors have appointed
Edelman Sydney to manage media enquiries.

#ends

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Following legal advice, Ian Thorpe, his management and his legal team will not
be making any further comments on the matter until the case is formally closed
on all levels including final acceptance of the decision by the international
governing body of the sport.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Beth McCorkindale
Edelman
Mobile: +61 (0) 412 087 175
Tel: +61 2 9291 3354
Email: bethany.mccorkindale@edelman.com

Eleanor Garth
Edelman
Mobile: +61 (0) 411 273 976
Tel: +61 2 9291 3334
Email: eleanor.garth@edelman.com

SOURCE: Edelman