From the beginning Australians promised an Olympian effort to crack down on drug cheats.

So far they have kept their word, imposing standards tougher than the International Olympic Committee’s and identifying a record number of cheaters. Australia’s own Sports Drug Agency, the world’s toughest, has raised the bar this year.

The agency has started surprise blood tests and developed new tests for erythropoietin, or EPO, a red blood cell boosting hormone experts say can increase endurance by 10 to 15 percent.

Many here believe the Sydney Olympics are the turning point, sending a clear message that cheaters are not wanted and leveling the playing field for athletes who don’t use drugs.

Australia’s diligence has helped push the International Olympic Committee toward a more serious crackdown than anyone had anticipated. At least 30 athletes and coaches from several teams have either withdrawn or been booted from the Sydney games so far, setting a record.

No one expects these Olympics to be completely free of doping. Everyone knows drug use has become too much a part of the culture of some sports. Critics continue to charge the IOC with turning a blind eye to drug use if the doping involves the most popular athletes or events.

难点词汇：
　　crack down on 制裁, 镇压 erythropoietin [生化](促)红细胞生成素 　hormone 荷尔蒙, 激素