More aid for Todd despite cocaine claims

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

Mark Todd will continue to enjoy the financial backing of the Sports Foundation for another year.

The Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian is included in the latest round of funding the foundation announced yesterday despite widespread rumours of illegal drug-taking.

How the cash was shared out

Foundation chief executive Chris Ineson said the cocaine allegations played no part in the funding decision.

Todd's funding is expected to continue at least until his retirement, which is expected to be announced after the Sydney Olympics.

And if there were an Olympic event for taciturnity, Todd would probably win gold in that as well.

For about the past eight weeks the Olympic equestrian rider has flatly refused to confirm or deny allegations made by Britain's Sunday Mirror that he snorted cocaine while cavorting with a gay lover.

The story led to a torrent of media inquiries from around Britain and New Zealand but Todd's tactic has been to avoid news organisations, especially their questions about any drug use.

While the frequency of media reports on the issue may be dwindling, public relations specialists contacted by the Weekend Herald say the double gold medalist has done far more damage to his public image by refusing to answer questions than if he had spoken up.

Beyond Public Relations senior consultant Claudia Macdonald said that while she did not know all the circumstances, Todd would have been much better off facing up to both media and Olympic Committee inquiries.

"Contrary to popular belief public relations people think honesty is the best policy. People are much better to front up, otherwise they give off the impression that they've got something to hide."

Botica Conroy director Allan Botica said the public had a relatively short memory and clients were generally advised to talk openly about an issue, unless there were sensitive circumstances involved.

"He could have squashed this really easily. The evidence was relatively small but his silence has [increased public interest].

"Look at Hugh Grant [the British actor caught with a US prostitute]. After he fronted up it hardly took any time at all for him to become popular and for the public to love him again."

Consultus chief executive Michael Dunlop said the community needed to believe in its heroes and, although he did not know the circumstances involved, it was a pity that Todd had not been able to defuse the situation earlier.

"Where there's smoke there's fire."

Meanwhile, the Sports Foundation says it has cut equestrian sports funding for 2000-01 to $558,620 from $717,000 last year.

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