Leaked data shows 'extraordinary' amount of doping in sports

Leaked data from the results of 12,000 blood tests taken between 2001 and 2012 from 5,000 athletes allegedly reveal the "extraordinary extent of cheating" occurring at some of the world's top sporting events, according to a report released by The Sunday Times and the German broadcaster ARD/WDR. The Sunday Times and ARD/WRD allegedly obtained access to the files belonging to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) "without consent," and proceeded to use two of the world's "foremost anti-doping experts" to analyze the data, revealing some potentially shocking findings.

The experts say at least one in seven athletes in the files had blood test results that were "highly suggestive of doping or at least very abnormal." Doping was found to be particularly prevalent among endurance athletes. The BBC reports that "a third of medals (146, including 55 golds) in endurance events at the Olympics and World Championships between 2001 and 2012 were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious tests."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is creating an independent commission to further investigate these claims. Since the information was leaked, the International Olympic Committee announced it would punish any athletes found guilty of doping in WADA's investigation.

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