x
x
x
x

Fri, October 23, 2020

WADA weightlifting doping investigation reveals “doppelgangers” impersonating athletes to provide clean samples

WADA weightlifting doping investigation reveals “doppelgangers” impersonating athletes to provide clean samples

WADA’s ongoing investigation into weightlifting doping has revealed that eighteen weightlifters from six countries are suspected of using “doppelgangers” to provide clean urine samples.

WADA has been conducting an ongoing investigation into the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) over the last three years and has now published some provisional findings whilst the investigation continues. The investigation has four branches concentrating on varying issues including looking into claims that a high-ranking member of the IWF was paid to promote Russian interests and to protect Russian athletes from detection and Operation Arrow which is the covert investigation into the practice of urine substitution at the point of collection.

Operation Arrow has revealed that eighteen weightlifters from six countries who are suspected of using “doppelgangers” to provide clean urine samples with WADA saying “WADA I&I found evidence of 'doppelgangers' being used to impersonate athletes during the sample collection process, ensuring clean urine was fraudulently provided.” The WADA statement also said that it has developed a new method to detect the prohibited practice of urine substitution at the point of collection and the use of sample surrogates or doppelgangers.

This WADA report comes as a further blow to the IWF which has been embroiled in several doping scandals over the last few years and been warned that the sport could be expelled from the 2024 Paris Olympics if it does not resolve the issues in the next few years. It has also had governance issues as the IWF had three different presidents across a three-day period following former president Tamás Aján’s resignation after he was revealed to have covered up many doping allegations.

You can read the WADA statement here.

Share

Recent News Articles

Tue, June 06, 2023

Concussion in grassroots and school sport to be monitored by UK government

The UK government is to conduct research into concussion in grassroots sport, using an app to track the symptoms of injury and their treatment 

Read More

Mon, June 05, 2023

WADA issues Anti-Doping Rule Violations Report for 2020

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) Report for 2020. 

Read More

Fri, June 02, 2023

More than two dozen Canadian sporting organisations call on Trudeau to launch a national inquiry

More than two dozen Canadian sporting organisations and activist groups have called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to launch a national inquiry into the toxic culture of abuse in sport in the country. 

Read More