In today's Sunday Paper review, the panel examined the ongoing IAAF doping controversies which culminated in sports journalist Kieran Cunningham making a startling revelation.
Referring to an article he read during the week, he said:
''This passed a lot of people by but last June, in the space of one week, Gardai and customs officials seized 12,000 units of anabolic steroids either in the post or in gyms and most of these are being used for aesthetic reasons. Doping has become embedded in the 'Geordie Shore' culture in the gyms.''
Cunningham also pointed to an article which appeared in the Mail On Sunday which he considered to be 'too sympathetic' to Seb Coe.
Seb Coe asks for athletes who have been "subjected to extortion" to come forward. They have - and he hasn't spoken to them. Garbage from Coe
— Tom English (@BBCTomEnglish) January 17, 2016
'This is the man who attacked whistle blowers and those who tried to tell the truth. The interview is too sympathetic. How hard has it been on all the clean athletes who have been cheated out of medals and prize money over the years? That's what matters and I don't care about Lord Coe. You need anger to come from the athletes at the minute.''
Sinéad Kissane of TV3 echoed Cunningham's insights and identified a piece in the Sunday Business Post which recommends exiling athletics from the Olympics.
On Five Live with Paula Radcliffe at about 19.15 (GMT) I'm led to believe on the Pound Report, and Coe, and the IAAF, and doping.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) January 14, 2016
''The thing they don't want us to believe is the easiest thing to believe. Ewan MacKenna hit the nail on the head in The Sunday Business Post and he questions Coe.''
As a parting note, Sinéad Kissane mentioned the Ladyball controversy which featured heavily in sports media commentary during the week. She hailed the project as being an example of a good marketing strategy to improve attendance numbers at Ladies GAA games.
The game is up & here's why #SeriousSupport #Ladyball @LadiesFootball @theladyball_com https://t.co/YhXNiKcIy5
— Lidl Ireland (@lidl_ireland) January 15, 2016
''It kind of flipped people's opinions back on themselves. I do think there's a point to be made. We are so quick to get outraged on Twitter and on social media when something like this happens but the point they're trying to make is why not turn they support into going to the games. It's a different way of thinking and I think it was worth it.''
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