WADA hacking scandal: What banned drugs were allowed to take Froome and Wiggins
Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins are among the latest group of athletes to have their medical files stolen from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed the leak from their databases by hackers – the second attack in a matter of days. On Tuesday, Russia-based cyber-espionage group “Fancy Bear” disclosed details about US athletes Serena Williams and Simone Biles. Two days later, WADA confirmed a second leak, which included details of Wiggins, Froome and three other British athletes.
Medical records leaked relate mainly to “therapeutical use exemptions” granted to certain athletes. Leaked records show Wiggins was allowed to take two banned substances – including during the 2011 Tour de France and the 2013 Giro d’Italia. One of the substances, triamcinolone acetonide, was taken for an allergy to pollen.
- June 13, 2008 (for 12 months): Salbutamol (inhalation, two puffs, twice daily)
- December 16, 2008 (for 12 months): Salbutamol (inhalation, two puffs, twice daily); Formoterol and Budesonide (inhalation, two puffs, twice daily)
- December 18, 2008 (for 12 months): Salbutamol and Fluticasone (inhalation, 1-2 times per day)
- June 29, 2011: Triamcinolone acetone, 40mg, one-time injection, prior to 2011 Tour de France
- June 26, 2012: Triamcinolone acetonide, 40mg, one-time injection, prior to 2012 Tour de France (documentation incorrectly says for Criterium du Dauphine, however date was after Dauphine, before Tour de France)
- April 2, 2013: Triamcinolone acetonide, 40mg, one-time injection, prior to 2013 Giro d’Italia
The hacked WADA documents show that Froome was granted a TUE for the corticosteroid prednisolone in May 2013 — 40mg per day for five days leading into the Critierum du Dauphine — and again in April 2014, 40mg per day for seven days leading into the Tour de Romandie.
Both prescriptions were granted to treat EIB (exercise-induced bronchoconstriction), also known as exercise-induced asthma. At both the 2013 Dauphine and the 2014 Romandie, Froome went on to win the general classification.
WADA revealed that hackers had illegally gained access to its anti-doping administration and management system database via an International Olympic Committee-created account for the Rio Games.
WADA director general Olivier Niggli described the leak as a “criminal attack”. He regretted that hackers had attempted to “smear” the reputation of the athletes affected.
Mr Niggli said there was “no doubt” the leaks were being carried out because of investigations into exposed state-sponsored doping in Russia.
