Chinese swimmers’ doping tests: Wada launches Operation Puncture to probe leak
German broadcaster says anti-doping body is looking for person who tipped off media about investigation into swimmers before Tokyo Olympics
The agency has defended its decision to clear the swimmers of doping. It said it had agreed with Chinese anti-doping authorities who found the swimmers’ samples were contaminated.
The existence of the investigation by China and Wada had been kept under wraps before the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD reported on it last year.
ARD reported on Wednesday that the agency was looking for the person who tipped off the news media about the investigation. The move is unusual because Wada encourages and relies on whistle-blowers to root out doping.
Günter Younger, director of intelligence and investigations at Wada, confirmed it had launched Operation Puncture to learn about the leak, but denied it was looking for the person who blew the whistle.
“We’re not chasing the whistle-blower,” Younger told reporters at a media event in London. “What we want to try to find out is how the leak happened and what was the motivation of the leak.”