Swimming: Perkins to make Games drug protest

Swimming

Kieren Perkins, the Australian long-distance swimmer and Olympic 1500m freestyle champion, is ready to stage a personal protest against drugs in sport during the swimming medal ceremonies at next year's Olympic Games in Atlanta.

"The governing bodies don't seem to want to do anything and I think it's getting to the stage now where we have to take such drastic action," Perkins said.

"I would be willing to show my opposition to steroid use during a medal ceremony if I'm involved in one. Hopefully, it will open up the world's eyes to what is going on," said Perkins, who criticised Fina, the sport's governing body, over its stance on doping.

"It is quite obvious to me that Fina is not prepared to do anything and would prefer to just ignore the situation. They simply do not listen to the swimmers."

Perkins supports a campaign launched by the Australian Coaches Association to ban Chinese swimmers from competition unless they are subjected to stricter testing.