The whistleblower at the center of doping allegations against a London-based doctor has accused UK Anti-Doping of a "catastrophic failure," according to the PA. A report in The Sunday Times last weekend alleged that Dr. Mark Bonar prescribed performance-enhancing drugs to 150 athletes -- including Premier League footballers, British Tour de France cyclists, tennis players and a British boxer -- "a claim he denies." The newspaper claimed UKAD was given information about the doctor’s alleged doping activities two years ago but "failed to take action, and an independent inquiry is to be held to look into the matter." The former amateur cyclist and drug cheat Dan Stevens "has come forward as the whistleblower." Stevens said he found Bonar online after being diagnosed with low testosterone levels and initially found him to be a "sensible, good doctor." But Stevens claimed that Bonar would "later talk to him about other drugs, such as human growth hormone and EPO." Stevens: "I think it was quite revolutionary to meet with a British doctor in a private clinic who was telling me that a number of high-profile British athletes, cyclists, runners, boxers, cricketers and footballers were using these substances to improve their performance. His words were that this is what is needed to be done to move up a level." Although UKAD was "made aware of general allegations against Bonar by an unnamed sportsman" in April and May of '14, the information was "vague and not at the level of detail reportedly uncovered by The Sunday Times." Stevens said, "I would describe it as a catastrophic failure. UKAD had absolutely no reason to not investigate Dr. Bonar" (PA, 4/9).
