Statement regarding extended mandate of Independent Commission
Press Release
[Issued by the Independent Commission (IC) of WADA comprised of: Richard W Pound, Q.C., Ad.E, Chairman; Prof. Richard H. McLaren and Günter Younger]
On 1 August 2015 ARD German television aired a new program, following the original program released on 3 December 2014, with new documentation and other evidence alleging misconduct on the part of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in relation to the follow-up of suspicious indications of doping in the period 2001 – 2012. The program also produced evidence of what appeared to be extensive doping among Kenyan athletes, primarily in distance running events.
What appeared to be a database of several thousands of tests carried out at the request of IAAF was referred to, as well as a report by Australian scientists Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto.
Many articles then appeared shortly thereafter, primarily in the British press, purporting to rely on information contained in the database. It is not yet known who released the database, which contained personal medical information on the athletes involved. The IAAF itself did not release the information and WADA confirmed that the leak did not come from WADA and that the data contained in the Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS) had not been compromised.
The President of WADA referred the matter to the IC as an extension of its original mandate arising out of the initial documentary shown on 3 December 2014. The Terms of Reference of the IC have been amended accordingly. The three members of the IC: Richard W. Pound, Prof. Richard H. McLaren and Günter Younger have agreed to continue in office.
The IC has resolved to try to release its report on the original mandate as planned prior to the most recent revelations. It remains to be seen whether the allegations contained in the new documentary may result in findings that will support, or contradict, those derived from the original investigation by the IC. The IAAF has indicated that it will cooperate entirely with the IC in its investigation of this matter. The IC has already started its work and experts were at the IAAF headquarters yesterday to start analysing the database.
