If the Drug works - use it

Byron Vale is TNT Magazine's Sports Editor. Each week he provides the Fanatics with the best antidotes from the sporting world. To read more from Byron pick up TNT Magazine every Monday throughout London or check out tntmagazine.com

The Australian Olympic Committee has worked itself into a drug-induced tether, but it's other people's drugs, you know, not theirs.

Drugs? They never touch the stuff.

Perhaps it's as good a time as any to look at Australia's highest profile drug catches ... and their world champion excuses.

Alex Watson (1988) At the Seoul Olympics, Watson, a pentathlete, tested positive to abnormal levels of caffeine in his system.

Excuse: Drank too much coffee.
Penalty: Two-year suspension, but later cleared.

Sam Riley (1995) The Queensland swimmer had recorded low levels of the narcotic analgesic dextropropoxyphene after a world record short course swim in the 200m breaststroke.

Excuse: She had taken "headache" tablets given to her by coach Scott Volkers.
Penalty: Strong warning.

Dean Capobianco (1996) The sprinter tested positive to the anabolic steroid Stanozolol after a track meet in Holland.

Excuse: He had eaten too much contaminated red meat.
Penalty: Two-year suspension.

Carol Gaudie (2002) The Canberra-based netballer tested positive to the male hormone, testosterone.

Excuse: Claimed her drink was spiked at a nightclub - WITH TESTOSTERONE. Presumably, the spiker likes his women with a hairy chest and deep voice.
Penalty: Two-year suspension.

Craig Field and Kevin McGuiness (2001) Both rugby league players had dabbled in party drugs after the season launch of the West Tigers. Field had taken cocaine and McGuiness ecstasy.

Excuses: Field claimed he was drunk and upset about heavy gambling when he took a pill he did not know was cocaine. McGuiness said he was depressed over relationship problems and was given two ecstasy tablets by a friend.
Penalty: Both players suspended for six months.

Philip Adams (2002) Adams, a shooter, is Australia's greatest Commonwealth Games medal winner with 17. He took the banned diuretic Avapro HCT, as prescribed by his doctor.

Excuse: The drug was taken as part of treatment for high blood pressure.
Penalty: No action taken.

Shane Warne (2003) The legspinner was caught with illegal levels of a banned diuretic in his system.

Excuse: Concerned he was going to look fat on television, Warne had taken diet pills proffered by his mum.
Penalty: 12-month suspension.

Mark Bosnich (2003) The most expensive seat warmer in the Premiership was found with cocaine coursing through his system.

Excuse: Bosnich claimed he was one of the thousands of people who have cocaine added to their drinks at London clubs without their knowledge. It happens to the best of us.
Penalty: Nine-month suspension.