The 'Fancy Bears' continue to be the most threatening organisation to athletics and WADA's reputation on anti-doping with the least threatening name. Four time Olympic champion Mo Farah is the latest to have details of his TUEs leaked.
Oh yeah sure a bear is obviously threatening but 'Fancy Bears' just conjures the image of a bear with a moustache, top hat and monocle talking about whatever people with monocles talk about. However their constant leaking of medical records and showing just how many therapeutic use exemptions exist in athletics proves that the sport has problems not previously considered.
Britain's most successful track star Mo Farah is amongst the latest athletes to have his records leaked by the Bears, who hacked into WADAs systems. The 5km and 10km gold medalist was shown to have two TUEs in his past. A spokesperson for the athlete hit back saying he has "nothing to hide":
Advert
"As Mo has previously stated he has got nothing to hide. And he doesn't have a problem with this or any of his ADAMs (anti-doping administration and management system) information being released - as evidenced by the fact he voluntarily shared his blood data with the Sunday Times last year.
"Mo's medical care is overseen at all times by British Athletics and over the course of his long career he has only ever had two TUEs."
Farah came under scrutiny last year after his coach Alberto Salazar was under investigation by WADA for reportedly administering banned supplements to athletes however those claims were dropped by the anti doping organisation before the Olympics.
Advert
The athletes spokesperson went on to explain the times the 33 year old had needed the TUEs adding, "The first was back in 2008 for a one-off anti-inflammatory treatment to an injury. The second was in 2014 when Mo collapsed and was airlifted to hospital for emergency care, which consisted of painkillers and being placed on a drip."
Farah is due to race at the World Championships in London in the summer, his last event on the track, and may move to marathon running after that. The future of TUEs is far less clear.
For now enjoy this Fancy Bear!
Image via Deviant Art