The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that "a second batch of medical files relating to athletes who competed at the Rio Olympics has been leaked by a Russian hacking group, including those of medals winners such as Britain’s Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins," according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES.
On Thursday, a group calling itself Fancy Bears’ Hack Team followed up its release of information relating to three U.S. Olympians, "with a wider data dump in connection with 25 athletes from eight countries." It "includes files from competitors" from the U.S., Great Britain, Denmark, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and Germany. The data relate to "therapeutic-use exemptions" -- drugs taken with the approval and knowledge of sporting authorities following medical advice. WADA has "blamed Russian hackers for the breach." The U.S. Olympic Committee said, "Team USA has had zero adverse findings from the Rio Olympic Games that weren’t 100 percent within the medical guidelines set forth by anti-doping authorities." The Kremlin "has denied any Russian state involvement in the attack" (FT, 9/15). REUTERS' Martyn Herman wrote Froome says he has "no issue" with his private medical records being leaked in a cyber attack by Russian hackers on the WADA. The British cyclist is among 25 athletes "to have their Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) publicized." Froome: "I've openly discussed my TUEs with the media and have no issues with the leak which only confirms my statements. In nine years as a professional I've twice required a TUE for exacerbated asthma, the last time was in 2014."
TUEs "allow athletes to take banned substances to treat ongoing medical conditions." Wiggins' TUEs from '08, '11, '12 and '13 "all refer to asthma-related treatments." A spokesperson for Wiggins said, "There's nothing new here" (REUTERS, 9/15). In London, Ben Rumsby wrote another 48 members of Great Britain’s record-breaking Olympic team "were on Thursday night facing their secret drug-testing records being leaked by Russian hackers." The U.K.’s anti-doping agency "revealed more than one in seven of the 366-strong delegation that took part in the Rio Games last month may have had their confidential files broken into by a group of cyber-criminals who have sent shockwaves through world sport" (TELEGRAPH, 9/15). The London GUARDIAN reported golfer Charley Hull, rower Sam Townsend and rugby union player Heather Fisher "are included in the second batch of athletes whose details have been made public by cyber-espionage group Fancy Bears, which is believed to be from Russia." There "is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by any of the athletes." In a separate development, UK Anti-Doping "has written to Team GB athletes warning them that their medical records could be at risk of exposure." The letter states, "Ukad is in close contact with Wada and it has been confirmed to us that the group has accessed some athlete data. As a result, and as a member of Team GB, we are writing to let you know that your information may potentially be at risk" (GUARDIAN, 9/15).
