John Fahey admits being among countless Australian sports fans devastated by the crime commission report of widespread doping among the nation's athletes.
"The first thing I thought was 'God, I hope the Bulldogs are clean'," the former player and current patron of NRL club Canterbury told AAP.
Entering his final year as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president, former NSW premier and Howard government federal minister Fahey is experiencing the most challenging and hectic period of his tenure and Australia's current big story has added to that.
"I think there are lots of suspicions about Australian sport right at this moment, right around the world," Fahey, 68, said.
His comments follow the government's release of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report after a year-long investigation into use of new generation banned performance-enhancing substances in professional sport, with supply links to organised crime.
"There is never a quiet time for WADA. As long as there is a sporting competition, there will be athletes who choose to cheat - and consequently, a need to lead the fight against this global threat to sports' integrity," Fahey said.
"And if the last eight months are anything to go by, that need is increasing in its urgency rather than receding.
"The second half of 2012 and the start of 2013 has been as busy a period for as long as I can remember at WADA ... A period during which we have witnessed both the very best of sport, but also the very worst, as we have carried out the responsibilities mandated to us by the code."
Fahey said the London Olympics set a new global benchmark for anti-doping standards.
However on the negative side, he said Lance Armstrong's "most systematic and widespread of doping frauds in the history of sport" left a black mark.
While Fahey said he had an ongoing interest in the resolution of the Australian issue, a maximum six-year presidential term which expires at the end of 2013 means he is unlikely to see it through in office.
"There is no extension. Our statutes provide that the presidency alternates every six years between the representative of sport and the representative of public authority ... it goes back to sport next time," he said.
But as he walks away from the honorary WADA role, Fahey indicates he's unlikely to embrace a quiet life.
"My life has told me that doors continually open and I am certainly not ready to put the feet up just yet," he said.
"I'm happy to take on any challenge where I think I can be useful - make a contribution when and where I think it's worthwhile."
However the former member for the federal seat of Macarthur, who still refers to the Liberal party as "us", said he has no intention of re-entering politics.
"That's the one thing I can say is never going to happen. I've always believed that you must move on."
Undergoing treatment for lung cancer, Fahey retired from politics a month before the 2001 election.
"You don't lose your interest in something that you put your life into and I did that for 18 years. But I also recognise that when you leave the field, when you're no longer a player, you shouldn't try and play from the sidelines."
