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News and Features

2nd March 1998

Further support for Grobler

The ARA Council approved the following statement drafted by the association's President, Martin Brandon-Bravo, with no dissension on February 28 1998:

'Our sport, this association, and its officers past and present, have been in the forefront internationally in its unequivocal opposition to drug taking. That opposition is undiminished.

'Rowing in Great Britain is a clean sport, and it was with great concern that we read press allegations of drug abuse in the previous Eastern block countries, and the German Democratic Republic in particular. It has cast a shadow over the past activities of professional coaches now employed world-wide who were part of that social structure and its approach to sporting success.

'We neither approve nor condone what may or may not have happened under the political regime in the GDR, but we believe we should approach these matters with understanding, given the position facing many athletes and coaches in those years under a political regime that is alien to our way of life. This understanding was emphasised in the formal statement from the UK Sports Council on February 20 1998.

'We do not claim to know the whole truth, but given what we know at this time, and the expressions of support from so many sources, we reiterate our confidence in Jurgen Grobler, whose technical and coaching skills have brought great knowledge and success to British rowing.

'However, he accepts our support cannot be unconditional, for whilst we have no reason to believe any actions being considered in the new German Federal Republic involve him, should that change and a legal process begin, our officers would take immediate and appropriate action."

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