More confidential files have been released by the hackers who recently breached into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) servers and stole medical records of athletes.
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A group known as APT28 and Fancy Bear by United States cyber-security researchers released a second batch of data yesterday with the British cyclist among 25 athletes to have their Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) publicised. “The IOC can confirm however that the athletes mentioned did not violate any anti-doping rules during the Olympic Games Rio 2016”.
There is no suggestion any of the athletes broke any rules, but Russians seized on the leak as evidence that US and British players were using forbidden drugs with the blessing of anti-doping officials.
NEWS BRIEF A group of hackers calling themselves the Fancy Bears released the medical records of 25 global Olympic athletes late Wednesday, just days after they leaked similar information for several prominent U.S. Olympians.
The group has proclaimed its allegiance to Anonymous, the loose-knit movement of online mischief-makers, and says it hacked WADA to show the world “how Olympic medals are won”.
The U.K. Anti-Doping Agency condemned the leak, saying in a statement that the “illegal” release is “grossly unfair to the athletes” and undermines the protection of clean sport.
Niggli said there was “no doubt” that the hack was retaliation against WADA for its report on Russian state-sponsored cheating and appealed to the Russian government to help stop it.
As WADA urged Russian help, Niggli warned that the hacking could hamper the country’s efforts to reintegrate into the sports world.
The hacking group, known as APT28 and Fancy Bear by US cyber-security researchers, was also blamed by WADA on Tuesday for posting medical data about USA athletes Simone Biles, Elena Delle Donne, and Serena and Venus Williams.
He said the hack on Wada’s computer system constituted “retaliation” against the agency, which imposed heavy penalties against Russian Federation over doping, including banning practically its entire athletics team from the Rio Olympics.
Wiggins was given exemption to take a medication for an allergy to grass pollen, while Froome is known to have previously required medication for exacerbated asthma.
Froome and Wiggins defended their use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs).
American tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams and four-time 2016 gymnastics gold medallist Simone Biles were among those whose information was initially revealed earlier this week.
Included in the leak is information about Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for both British Tour de France winners.
“There can be no talk about any official or government involvement, any involvement of Russian agencies in those actions”. “She has followed the rules and gotten permission to use the asthma medication which she uses-like many other athletes”.
In an interview Thursday, WADA President Craig Reedie said he asked the agency’s finance department to provide details of its IT spending over the last five years, and particularly a breakdown for the amount spent on its main Administration and Management System database.
Putin said, “We don’t support what the hackers have been doing, but what they have done can’t fail to attract public attention internationally”. Following the attack, the Norwegian anti-doping agency today stated that they would, with immediate effect, stop using ADAMS for the treatment of TUEs because of the personal data involved, the Norwegian NADO said in a statement.
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British Cycling said: “We’re proud of our strong anti-doping culture at British Cycling”.
