Australian athlete data leaked

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has confirmed that the cyber-espionage group ‘Fancy Bears’ have leaked confidential Australian athlete data overnight.

The documents include details of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) granted to three Australian athletes.

Despite the efforts of the hackers to twist these exemptions to prove foul play, in obtaining a TUE the athletes have operated entirely within the rules of clean, fair sport.

TUEs exist so that athletes who suffer from legitimate medical conditions can seek treatment. In the case of the three Australian TUEs leaked today, the athletes were approved to use medication to treat serious medical conditions, including allergic reactions and rheumatoid arthritis.

Such exemptions do not constitute doping.

WADA’s guidelines state that in order for a TUE to be granted, comprehensive medical documentation is required which shows that:

1. The Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method in question is needed to treat an acute or chronic medical condition, such that the athlete would experience a significant impairment to health if the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method were to be withheld.
2. The Therapeutic Use of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is highly unlikely to produce any additional enhancement of performance beyond what might be anticipated by a return to the Athlete’s normal state of health following the treatment of the acute or chronic medical condition.
3. There is no reasonable Therapeutic alternative to the Use of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
4. The necessity for the Use of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is not a consequence, wholly or in part, of the prior Use (without a TUE) of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of such Use.

ASADA condemns the malicious attacks by Fancy Bears and their blatant disregard for athlete privacy and wellbeing.

ASADA’s Acting CEO is reaching out to the Australian athletes affected by the leak and is in contact with WADA regarding the breach.