Stephen Dank
Stephen Dank is an Australian biochemist who worked as a sports scientist at several professional sports club. He is known for his key role in two major sports drug cheating scandals, the Essendon Football Club supplements saga and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks supplements saga, where he injected players with illegal substances to improve their performance.
Stephen Dank | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation(s) | Biochemist; sports scientist |
| Known for | Essendon Football Club supplements saga |
He is known for his unorthodox treatment and diagnostic methods, including using calf blood and profiling players' DNA. Des Hasler described Dank as 'a great analytical thinker', in particular highlighting his contributions in the area of GPS application, statistical science, and altitude simulation training. In light of his unorthodox treatment methods, in November 2016 Dank was given a life-long ban from association with the Australian Football League.
He worked with National Rugby League clubs the Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks and Australian rules football clubs, Essendon Football Club and the Gold Coast Suns.