WADA launch 'urgent' investigation into widespread doping allegations in athletics

WADA are to investigate into the claims urgently. Credit: PA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced its independent commission will "urgently" launch an investigation into widespread doping allegations against international athletics.

WADA officially announced that it will respond to claims made by German broadcaster ARD/WDR in their “Doping – Top Secret: The Shadowy World of Athletics" documentary and the Sunday Times.

According to the recent report in the Sunday Times, as many as a third of Olympic and world championships medals - including 55 golds - have been won by athletes with allegedly suspicious doping test results.

“WADA is committed to protecting the confidentiality of athletes; and, therefore, has asked its Independent Commission to commence its investigation with urgency,” said WADA President Sir Craig Reedie in an official statement.

“We are confident that the IAAF, which has formally agreed to full cooperation with the Commission with respect to its inquiries, is equally committed."

"WADA deplores the manner in which this data was obtained, leaked to the media and analyzed,” Reedie continued.

“To suggest or imply doping with respect to any athlete whose data is contained within the database is, at the very least, irresponsible and potentially libelous."

The World Anti-Doping Agency will urgently investigate. Credit: PA

The report also suggested 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".

Along with the German broadcaster ARD/WDR, the newspaper reported 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".

In a lengthy and detailed response by the International Association of Athletics Federations to the claims, the athletics governing body said the allegations were ''sensationalist and confusing''.

The Independent Commission is scheduled to deliver its report to WADA’s President by the end of the year.