The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday said it was investigating Spain’s National Anti-Doping Agency (CELAD), pushing back against reports that it was turning a blind eye to positive tests by Spanish athletes.
Report by eldiario.es Spanish sprinter Patrick Chinedu Ike tested positive in 2019, but CELAD did not launch an investigation, even though the result was listed on the athlete’s profile in the agency’s database system. WADA said it took no action.
However, Mr. Wada said: Reuters The case of Chinedu Ike is still under investigation.
Spanish online news outlet Relevo CELAD reported finding positive results and waiting the maximum allowable period of one year before filing a lawsuit and notifying the athletes in question, while masking the other athletes with retroactive approval of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs).
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TUEs are given to athletes who require medication containing banned substances for medical and health-related issues.
CELAD did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
“WADA strongly rejects any implication that it will turn a blind eye to any valid litigation,” WADA said in a statement.
“WADA can confirm that for several months, as part of its compliance monitoring program, it has been aware of ongoing issues related to CELAD, including some issues related to testing and results management.
“In this context, WADA has submitted a corrective action report to CELAD, which includes a number of delayed cases, which need to be addressed urgently.
“This issue is ongoing.”
WADA said it took the unusual step last year of removing three Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) cases from CELAD and handing them over to the relevant international federations for action.
In two other such ABP cases, WADA also imposed strict deadlines for CELAD to issue decisions.
Of greater concern to WADA is Spain’s anti-doping laws, which WADA believes are not interpreted and implemented in accordance with the WADA Code.
“We are well aware of the deep-seated anti-doping problems in Spain,” WADA President Witold Banka said in a statement.
“We are disappointed in the level of cooperation we have received from CELAD as we aim to improve the system for Spanish athletes.
“The fact that there are positive cases that were not dealt with in a timely manner despite regular follow-up by WADA is unacceptable.”