Blood-test data leak reveals 'extent of cheating by athletes'

As many as third of Olympic and world championships medals - including 55 golds - have been won by athletes with allegedly suspicious doping test results, the "biggest leak of blood-test data in sporting history" reportedly reveals.

According to the Sunday Times (£), it also suggests that at least 800 athletes - one in seven of those named in the files - have recorded blood-test results described by an expert as "highly suggestive of doping or at the very least abnormal".

The newspaper also reported an allegation that more than a third of the world's fastest times in endurance events were recorded by athletes whose tests have triggered suspicion.

Along with the German broadcaster ARD/WDR, the newspaper reports that it has had access to a database containing more than 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes and which it claims reveals "the extraordinary extent of cheating by athletes at the world's most prestigious events".

The data was released by a whistleblower and belongs to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

It has been analysed by two leading anti-doping experts for the Sunday Times - scientist Robin Parisotto and exercise physiologist Michael Ashenden.

They say that the leaked information reveals that more than a third of medals have been won in endurance events at the Olympics and world championships by athletes who have recorded suspicious tests.

The newspaper claims none of those medals has been taken away by the authorities.

It is also alleged that a top UK athlete is among seven Britons with "suspicious" blood scores, while 10 medals were won at the London 2012 Olympics by athletes who have reportedly recorded dubious test results

Wada president Sir Craig Reedie said: "Wada is very disturbed by these new allegations that have been raised by ARD, which will, once again, shake the foundation of clean athletes worldwide."