Inside view of drugs, money

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 42

Inside view of drugs, money

NZPA London Geoff Capes was never out of the news for long in a record-breaking athletic career and his absorbing autobiography, “Big Shot,” is bound to cause controversy as he gives an inside view of drug-taking in athletics and slams the hypocrisy of “shamateurism.”

Capes won a record number of international vests in shot-putting for Britain around the world, before retiring at the end of last season, but he missed out of his big dream of winning an Olympic medal. Talking about drugs, Capes says: “Anabolic steroids? They are old hat.. 'They passed their peak in 1975 when the tests were introduced. Throwers just laugh at the tests now.

“Not that it is only the throwers who take artificial aids to improve performance. Ninety per cent of top athletes have taken one. kind of artificial aid or another during their careers.” Capes is equally forthright about illegal payments. He says: “Most of us take what we loosely call ‘expenses’ on the amateur circuit in Europe. The I.A.A.F. cannot prove that the expenses are above thepitiful standard they regard aS acceptable. “Money makes the amateur athletic world go round,” he adds. The story of how Capes turned from a backwaters hooligan to international star makes fascinating reading and there always seems to be a turbulent tale to tell.