Paul Kimmage appeared on the Saturday Night Show with Brendan O'Connor to promote a charity cycle in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. Of course, that meant that he took the time to reflect on his work in cycling, and his new work which is leading him to show people the dangers of medicalisation in rugby.
Kimmage explains that he first got interested in this issue in rugby after seeking out French prop Laurent Benezech. He sees similarities between Benezech's book and his own 'Rough Rider' book from 1990. 'Rough Rider' tried to lift the lid on the doping culture that was prevalent in cycling, but was widely swept under the rug only to be vindicated in the intervening years.
In the same way, Benezech is the first to suggest that rugby has a problem, and Kimmage detailed his fascination with the silence that has come from the world of rugby.
Kimmage maintains that he has made no accusations so far, just that he has brought it to the attention of the Irish public.
I’ve made no accusation at all, All I’ve done is bring the Irish public a view from inside the game.
Medicalisation in Rugby
The main problem with rugby, in Kimmage's mind, is the medicalisation in rugby. The game has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, with a bigger emphasis on size over skill meaning all players need to condition themselves in the right way.
He acknowledges that using supplements, eating and gym work can produce people of the size we see today, but that there is a shortcut for those that don't want to put in the work.
However, Kimmage's main axe to grind is with some legal aspects of the sport. In his mind, sport is meant to separate those who can endure pain, and those who can't. Which leads him to question why players would take painkillers before a match, or submit themselves to cortico steroids in their rehab from injuries.
He agrees with Benezech's concern that this may not be the best for player's health. He uses the comparison of force-feeding ducks to make foie gras with rugby players trying to bulk up.
He makes no apologies for what the investigation he's about to embark upon. He cites the RFU and the recent "Keep Rugby Clean t-shirts" form the JWC as proof that there is a doping problem in rugby. But now that we finally know what he means by medicalisation in rugby, we can finally have a proper debate about it.
I strongly suggest that you watch the full interview here.
