EVEN before Lance Armstrong’s case became a cause celebre, those investigating the doping issues afflicting cycling had introduced a new word into common usage among followers of the sport – omerta.
Originally associated with Mafia activity, it became the best way of describing the way those involved in elite cycling were subjected to peer pressure to keep quiet about any misgivings they have about wrongful practice.
The Armstrong case highlighted how omerta even extended to some of those involved in running cycling who came across as more protective of commercial interests than true sporting integrity.
When, then, I was told last week that Triathlon Scotland had overseen a mediation process which resulted in the gagging of the committee of a club that had expelled the coach at the centre of The Herald investigation which emanated from the revelation that a 33-year-old coach had misused his position to engage in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old athlete, it was cause for fresh concern.
John Dargie had, we were told, been thrown out of that club because of a separate case of bullying and harassment of another female member of their club.
It has subsequently also emerged that athletes, coaches and administrators currently involved in the sport have been told not to make public comment about this case. We are left to wonder why that would be. If, as we are repeatedly assured, openness and transparency are key tenets of good governance why on earth would anyone seek to withdraw the right of free speech from those who may know something that is in the public interest?
An unedifying aspect of this case is that a minority of those commenting upon it on social media have exposed out-dated and unacceptable attitudes towards objectification of adolescent girls.
Thankfully the feedback directly received by the woman at its centre, Lara Gorman, has been wholly positive and supportive, while messages received by The Herald from leading figures in the sport, both athletes and coaches, have been encouraging in terms of congratulating us for highlighting a serious issue while urging us to keep pursuing it.
In particular the exemplary contribution of Catriona Morrison – Scottish triathlon’s greatest ever competitor – in publicly outlining her concerns contrasts with the apparent reluctance of sporting authorities to pursue these matters, pretty much every response on the matter from sporting authorities having contained the message that if there is any suggestion of criminality that the matter should be taken to the police.
It may differ slightly in tone, but unwillingness to act unless forced to by law sends out a message that is little different from those social media commentators who reckoned Dargie had done nothing wrong because his behaviour was not illegal. That, in turn, is not that far removed from claiming there is nothing wrong with doping in sport if participants are taking drugs that are otherwise legal.
On which note, what Lance Armstrong’s case also demonstrated was the confidence that grows in those who feel they have more power than victims. Silence is the friend of those with something to hide which in turn means that those who know more than they have so far revealed, whether through misplaced loyalty or fear, need to look very closely at themselves and consider what their contribution has been to the suffering of girls like Lara.
There was some encouragement to be drawn from the most recent response issued by Triathlon Scotland which seemed to indicate movement in the organisation’s mindset.
When I interviewed Jane Moncrieff, their CEO last month to offer right of reply to the family’s criticism of their handling of this case she told me that the original whistle-blower, who had initially come forward anonymously, had been forced to shed that anonymity before they were prepared to investigate. She also told me at that point that they had reviewed their practices after this case and concluded that they were entirely sound.
Yet her latest response included the message that: “Concerns regarding Triathlon Scotland registered coaches can be reported to Triathlon Scotland anonymously at any time and if anyone has any allegations of criminality, they should report it also to Police Scotland, and, as the appropriate investigatory body, they can determine if any further action is required.”
Those who do so and remain as dissatisfied as Lara Gorman’s parents are with the governing body’s response, should meanwhile never be discouraged from going public. There is no place in sport, or any other walk of life, for omerta.
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