Today in Focus The Olympics’ dirtiest race ever?
May 23, 2025
Lisa Dobriskey, a British athlete who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, shares her harrowing experience of the controversial 1500m final. Alongside her is Esther Addley, a Senior reporter at The Guardian, who delves into the doping allegations that have tarnished this race’s legacy. They discuss the emotional toll on athletes caught in the scandal, the ongoing battle against performance-enhancing drugs, and the evolution of anti-doping measures. Their candid reflections highlight personal stories of resilience amid a marred Olympic history.
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Lisa Dobriskey's Olympic Race Anxiety
- Lisa Dobriskey felt overwhelmed and scared before the 2012 Olympic 1500m final due to the hostile environment and home crowd pressure.
- After the race, she was disappointed and angry, feeling embarrassed by her distant tenth place finish.
Athlete Suspicions Before Olympics
- Lisa Dobriskey was 100% sure some competitors in the 2012 race were doping, having expressed concerns to the IAAF before the Olympics.
- She was labeled a complainer for raising these suspicions despite wanting a clean sport and a level playing field.
London 2012 Anti-Doping Efforts
- London 2012 boasted the "cleanest Olympics ever" with over 5,000 doping tests in a state-of-the-art lab.
- Despite intense testing, eight athletes tested positive during the games, highlighting the ongoing doping challenge.