The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed late Wednesday night that Russian cyber hackers have leaked more confidential information about 25 more Olympic athletes.
The WADA said that “Fancy Bear,” a team of Russian hackers, targeted 10 athletes from the United States, five from Germany, five from Great Britain, and one each from Denmark, Poland, Romania, Russia and the Czech Republic. WADA did not name the athletes targeted.
Earlier this week, the same group published information about four U.S. athletes, including gold medal gymnast Simone Biles and tennis player Venus Williams.
Olivier Niggli, WADA’s Director General condemned the attacks, saying they “seriously undermine the work that is being carried out to rebuild a compliant anti-doping program in Russia.”
“WADA is very mindful that this criminal attack, which to date has recklessly exposed personal data of 29 athletes, will be very distressing for the athletes that have been targeted and cause apprehension for all athletes that were involved in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," Niggli said. “To those athletes that have been impacted, we regret that criminals have attempted to smear your reputations in this way.”
The first leak earlier this week affected Biles, Williams and women’s basketball player Elena Delle Donne. The leak revealed their use of approved medications. The United States Anti-Doping Agency said all of the athletes named had followed proper procedure in getting permission to use the medications.
In July, WADA recommended banning all Russian athletes from the Rio Games after an independent report said Russia ran a state-sponsored doping plan during the 2014 Sochi Games.
In its latest statement, WADA asked Russia “to do everything in their power” to stop the hacking tactics.
The Russian government has denied any involvement.
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