A tv ad for an Australian betting company has sparked widespread outrage for making light of the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport.
The ad, which stars disgraced former sprinter Ben Johnson, makes a number of whimsical puns regarding PED usage.
Johnson was stripped of his 100-metre gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after he failed a drugs test. The mobile betting app which he's promoting in the add "tested positive for speed and power," according to the former runner himself. He also claims to have "put the roid in Android."
The ad also features a number of thinly-veiled references to doping in other sports, such as cycling, swimming and weight-lifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwD22vX9KSY
Australia's anti-doping agency ASADA have released a statement condemning the ad:
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) notes the current advertising campaign by online betting company, Sportsbet.
ASADA does not condone the message sent in this advertisement.
This advert makes light of the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport and sends the completely wrong message that the use of drugs in sport is normal.
This advertising campaign belittles the achievements of clean athletes and denigrates those who work to protect clean sport across the world.
ASADA has lodged a complaint about the advert with the relevant authority.
ASADA aren't the only party who have voiced their concern about the campaign.
So @sportsbet thinks drugs in sport so funny it has a whole ad campaign on it. Usually like the funny, but this is shit. Enjoy your tv ban. pic.twitter.com/k3nK5P6guo
— Andrew Tate 🥔 (@SportingSpud) May 12, 2017
This is naht cool https://t.co/mUmxnomBON
— Mack Horton (@_mackhorton) May 14, 2017
Sportsbet admires drug cheats - sapping the credibility of the sports it sucks on @AlcoholDrugFdn @GoodSportsClubs
— Geoff Munro (@GeoffMunro) May 15, 2017
Sportsbet, for what it's worth, don't seem to give a shit.
Hey Mum! Look! We're on the news! https://t.co/sl9iBS2uKE
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) May 15, 2017
