`I'M NO HYPROCRITE', FORMER DRUG USER QUAX SAYS

Auckland: Olympic silver medallist Dick Quax admits he smoked cannabis in
the 1970s but still insists equestrian Mark Todd should withdraw from the
Sydney Olympics over drug claims.

Quax on Wednesday admitted to the New Zealand Herald he smoked the drug on
a casual basis between major competitions in the 1970s along with "most
people" of his generation.

A former colleague of Quax who now lives in Australia, told the Herald the
pair had shared a joint in the '70s.

He spoke out after reading comments of Quax's about Todd.

The former Olympic runner wants double Olympic gold medallist Todd to come
clean over allegations that he snorted cocaine in the company of a gay
lover.

Todd has refused to confirm or deny the British tabloid Sunday Mirror's
allegations.

Quax, who won silver in the 5000m in the Montreal Olympics in 1976, said he
had smoked marijuana no more than 20 times and the drug was not forbidden
by the Olympic anti-doping code of the 1970s.

"It was an illegal activity and I readily accept that . . . It's something
I wouldn't do any more and I wouldn't recommend anyone else would do
either."

He said it was not hypocritical for him to criticise Todd, pointing out
there was now an Olympic code banning use of recreational drugs like
cocaine.

"I don't think I'm being hypocritical. I've been open with you," Quax said.