The World Anti-Doping Agency will launch an urgent investigation into widespread doping allegations in international athletics.
The German broadcaster ARD/WDR and the Sunday Times gained access to a database containing more than 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes. It claimed more than 800 athletes – and a third of all medallists in endurance events at recent Olympics and World Championships – had suspicious blood test results that were not followed up by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
In a lengthy and detailed response by the IAAF to the claims, the athletics governing body said the allegations were “sensationalist and confusing”.
However, the Wada president, Sir Craig Reedie, confirmed the matter had now been referred to its independent commission.
He said: “Wada is committed to protecting the confidentiality of athletes; and, therefore, has asked its independent commission to commence its investigation with urgency.
“We are confident that the IAAF, which has formally agreed to full cooperation with the commission with respect to its inquiries, is equally committed.”
Lord Coe, who is running for the presidency of the IAAF later this month, launched a furious defence of international athletics’ record in dealing with doping, claiming the reports were a “declaration of war”.
The former double Olympic 1,500m gold medallist, however, accepted some countries are causing a problem to the sport. Russia has had a number of high-profile drugs cheats banned.
The Sunday Times, though, continues to back its story and labelled the IAAF response “disingenuous”, questioning whether the organisation was committed to tackling doping. The two experts, Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto, said they stood by their beliefs.
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While criticising the way the information was put into the public domain, Wada hopes its investigation – scheduled to deliver its report by the end of the year – will discover the truth.
Reedie’s statement continued: “Wada deplores the manner in which this data was obtained, leaked to the media and analysed. To suggest or imply doping with respect to any athlete whose data is contained within the database is, at the very least, irresponsible and potentially libellous.
“I ask that any athlete, or anti-doping organisation, concerned that their rights are being eroded or inappropriately challenged refer those concerns to the commission, which intends to commence its work immediately.”
Wada’s director general, David Howman, believes the analysis of the results in the leaked report need to be carefully placed into context.
Howman said: “A portion of the data within the database pre-dates the Athlete Biological Passport [ABP], which was introduced in 2009. This data could not possibly be considered doping, legally or otherwise.
“In addition, atypical blood data, which may be within this database from 2009-2012, is not necessarily indicative of doping.
“The strength of the ABP is that it monitors selected biological variables over time, via the blood, which indirectly reveal the effects of doping.
“Wada’s rules governing the ABP are designed to ensure a complete and fair review of ABP profiles and require the unanimous opinion of three experts.”
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