Reuters
Montreal (Canada), Sept 15: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Wednesday that another batch of athlete data has been leaked by the same Russian cyber espionage group that published confidential medical data earlier this week.
This time, WADA said the hackers released data of 25 athletes from the United States, Germany, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, Romania and Russia. Among them are cycling greats Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins. Both however stated that they are not bothered with what the hackers have made public.
The hacking group, known as ‘Fancy Bear’ by US cyber-security researchers, was also blamed Tuesday by WADA for posting data about US athletes Simone Biles, Elena Delle Donne, and Serena and Venus Williams.
“WADA is very mindful that this criminal attack, which to date has recklessly exposed personal data of 29 athletes. It will be very distressing for the athletes who have been targetted; and cause apprehension for all athletes that were involved in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” WADA director general Olivier Niggli said in a statement Thursday.
“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.”
WADA said it believed the hackers gained access to its anti-doping administration and management system (ADAMS) via an IOC-created account for the Rio Games.
According to WADA, the account includes confidential medical data such as Therapeutic Use Exemptions, which are issued by sports federations and national anti-doping organisations to allow athletes to take certain substances.
It also said that it is reaching out to the national anti-doping organisations and international federations whose athletes are impacted by the latest data release to provide support.
WADA also repeated its belief the attacks are being carried out as retaliation for the agency’s investigations that exposed state-sponsored doping in Russia.
“WADA has no doubt that these ongoing attacks are being carried out in retaliation against the agency, and the global anti-doping system, because of our independent (Pound and McLaren) investigations that exposed state-sponsored doping in Russia,” said Niggli.
But Russia denied involvement in the hacks and said the Russian government was ready to help if needed. “If we’re talking about a request for help, then no question, if we receive such an appeal,” Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said Thursday in Moscow.
“Russia consistently backs fighting cybercrime, consistently invites all states and international organisations to cooperate in this area, and this position of Russia is well known,” Peskov added.