Over before it’s begun: Jarryd Hayne’s ambitious Olympic dream may already be shot down
Former Australian rugby league star’s hopes of chasing an Olympic medal after ditching his NFL career may be scuttled by anti-doping protocols
Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne’s hopes of chasing an Olympic dream after ditching a career in American football may be scuttled by anti-doping protocols, it emerged on Monday.
Jarryd is a tremendous example of what can happen when you commit to a goal and do everything in your power to make it a reality
Hayne announced on Sunday he was abandoning playing NFL with the San Francisco 49ers to pursue a spot on Fiji’s rugby sevens squad for this year’s Rio Games.
But the switch may have struck an obstacle with former head of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Richard Ings saying he may not be eligible.
Ings tweeted that the NFL was not a World Anti-Doping Agency compliant sport, meaning Hayne would not qualify under the drug testing regulations.
“Slight problem mate. World Rugby require you to be in their registered testing pool six months to be eligible to play,” he said.
“If Jarryd Hayne had been playing in Wada compliant sport he would have grounds to reduce the six months. But NFL is PED (performance-enhancing drugs) badlands. No chance.
“The six-month return to competition rule is standard across most sports for athletes returning to international competition. And necessary,” he added.
