WADA confirms another hacking of athletes' medical data
The World Anti-Doping Agency says that there has been another breach of medical data from its database in an alleged criminal attack by Russian hackers.
Earlier this week, Russian cyber hackers ‘Fancy Bear’ leaked confidential athlete data from WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management.
Simone Biles, Venus and Serena Williams and Elena Delle Donne were the four American female Olympians whose data was revealed by the hackers on Tuesday.
This latest attack revealed the data of 25 athletes, from eight different countries, including three-time Tour de France winner and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Chris Froome. Ten of those athletes whose data was revealed are from the United States.
Each of the 29 cases of medical data that were leaked shows "Therapeutic Use Exemptions." The exemptions allow athletes to use banned substances only if proven to be of a verified medical need.
Froome has used an anti-inflammatory medication, which was approved by the International Cycling Union in 2014.
"WADA is very mindful that this criminal attack, which to date has recklessly exposed personal data of 29 athletes, will be very distressing for the athletes that have been targeted; and, cause apprehension for all athletes that were involved in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” said WADA Director General Olivier Niggli. “To those athletes that have been impacted, we regret that criminals have attempted to smear your reputations in this way; and, assure you that we are receiving intelligence and advice from the highest level law enforcement and IT security agencies that we are putting into action."
Froome defended his use of Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
"I’ve openly discussed my TUEs with the media and have no issues with the leak which confirms my statements. In nine years as a professional I’ve twice required a TUE for exacerbated asthma, the last time was in 2014," Froome said in a statement.
- Scooby Axson
