Gary Hall Jr, double Olympic champion in the 50m freestyle and one of the most prolific winners of Olympic medals in swimming history, will be accused once more of show-boating today and in the days ahead after arriving at US trials in a private jet and, in response to media questions, weighing in to the debate on doping. But his point is well made and should be heeded by all those who claim to want and sincerely want a clean sport.

Hall Jr said that his 'gut-feeling' was that the glut of world records this year had as much to do with performance-enhancing substances as it did performance-enhancing suits. It was, he said, a global problem - and the United States was far from being immune.

'I don't have any proof but it's my gut feeling doping exists," Hall told reporters in Omaha. 'I need to wait and see what it feels to be shaved and tapered in these new technology suits. I am convinced there is an advantage to wearing the suits but I don't think it accounts for all the time drops we've seen. Do I think it (doping) is getting worse? Yes, I do. It's here, it's in the United States. I train with an international group of swimmers and all of them have stories and a few of them have had offers and I'm not at liberty to say (any more).'

Hall Jr may this summer wave goodbye to his days an an Olympic athlete and perhaps he will persuade some of those who have spoken to him of their experience to share that information with anti-doping agencies and others who can take the fight on. Official bodies can do much more but their work can only truly be effective if there is a groundswell of resistance from the athletes and coaches on deck. That's where the fight starts - to create a culture of hostility towards those who would cheat, to make such rogues feel unwelcome in the club is part of the battle.

'Unfortunately, we rely on inadequate (anti) doping agencies for proof,' Hall Jr added. I have no idea where the sport is as a whole but to think it doesn't exist is foolish. It drives me crazy and I just don't know how to fight it. What bothers me most is the resignation and the attitude of the public that it is just part of sport today. We need to get over that because it is not OK.'

Quite so. For those who will read Hall Jr's words through showboat-tinted glasses, set that prejudice aside and consider the message. It is a worthy one.