WADA hacked, Froome and Wiggins’ information leaked

The World Anti-Doping Agency had its records hacked and leaked earlier this week. Russian cyber-hackers Tsar Team (APT28), also known as Fancy Bear, hacked WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) database via an account created by the International Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games in Rio.

Earlier this week Fancy Bear leaked medical information about Olympic Games athletes like tennis players Serena and Venus Williams and gymnast Simone Biles. On Tuesday, the hackers published a list of Therapeutic Use Exemptions for Great Britain’s Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, winner of four Tours de France between them.

Froome had two TUE’s for corticosteroid prednisolone before the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné and the 2014 Tour de Romandie, the latter raising some eyebrows. Regarding the leak Froome stated, “I’ve openly discussed my TUE’s with the media and have no issues with the leak, which only confirms my statements,” Froome said, “In nine years as a professional, I’ve twice required a TUE for exacerbated asthma, the last time was in 2014.”

Wiggins required six TUE’s from 2008 to 2013, most for a variety of substances to combat his pollen allergy: Salbutamol, Fluticasone, Formoterol and Budesonide. He also employed intramuscular injections of Triamcinolone acetonide thrice for the same condition.

So far, WADA hack is all about TUEs. No smoking gun. So far it highlights how many athletes have used prednisone. Brings up efficacy of TUEs

— Steve Magness (@stevemagness) September 15, 2016

United Kingdom Anti-Doping condemned the hack and leak of athletes’ data. Its chief executive Nicole Sapstead said, “UKAD strongly condemns actions of this nature and we are appalled that five members of Team GB have had their private data published illegally online. Not only does it undermine our work and the protection of clean sport, but it is grossly unfair to the athletes, whose personal data has been put at risk.”