Russian hackers leak personal information on Simone Biles, Williams sisters

Russian hackers have gained access to Rio drug-testing database and are leaking athletes&#039; information.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 13 September 2016

A group of Russian hackers who go by the name "Fancy Bear" breached The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) database containing drug test results and medical information from Rio Olympic athletes, WADA confirmed Tuesday. The group, which also goes by "Tsar Team (APT28)," targeted American athletes, including tennis players Serena and Venus Williams and gymnast Simone Biles, and then leaked that the three had been given "medical exemptions to use banned drugs," The New York Times reported. Fancy Bear cited its findings as evidence that "WADA and the IOC's Medical and Scientific Department are corrupt and deceitful."

In a statement Tuesday, the IOC maintained "the athletes mentioned did not violate any anti-doping rules during the Olympic Games." "In fact, in each of the situations, the athlete has done everything right in adhering to the global rules for obtaining permission to use a needed medication," said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. "The cyber-bullying of innocent athletes being engaged by these hackers is cowardly and despicable."