Olympics without Ukraine? WADA reveals callous practices – Other sports – PRAVDA.sk

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The Ukrainian Anti-Doping Agency (NADC) has warned athletes in advance of random out-of-competition tests.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reported on the “callous” system, which they were supposed to use from 2012 onwards.

It is not yet known whether the revelations may have an impact on the country’s athletes’ participation in next year’s Beijing Winter Olympics.

“Operation Hercules,” as they called the investigation, revealed evidence that the Ukrainian National Agency had provided athletes with regular information prior to random checks.

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Instead of these out-of-competition tests, which are part of the pillars of the anti-doping program, NADC commissioners called on the athletes to agree to take samples at the organization’s premises the following day.

“Operation Hercules has convincing and validated evidence that the NADC telephoned the athletes or contacted them through their coaches to ask them to take part in the test the following day.

Evidence suggests that the NADC has often resorted to this practice before important international events and has happened and that entire national teams have been waiting to be tested at the NADC, “said Gunter Younger, WADA’s Director of Intelligence and Investigation.

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Investigators also found that the Ukrainian agency categorized six samples from the competitions as out-of-competition before the postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo.

WADA re-analyzed them all and were negative. According to Younger, the samples deliberately categorized incorrectly so that Ukrainian athletes passed the minimum number of non-competitive tests before the games.

“Operation Hercules has raised serious doubts about the integrity of NADC ‘s testing procedures and the competence of some of its staff.

The length of these practices indicates significant organizational failures, “said Younger.

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The findings of the investigation will now be evaluated by a special commission, which may propose to the WADA executive possible sanctions for the Ukrainian Anti-Doping Agency, individual athletes or entire teams.

It is not yet known whether this could also affect the country’s participation in the Beijing Olympics.

WADA, meanwhile, has found evidence that one of the employees of the Ukrainian Athletic Federation was involved in trafficking in a banned substance in the EPO. The AFP agency informed.