US Olympians React to Hacking of Anti-Doping Agency Medical Records

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — U.S. Olympians were quick to react after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced hackers breached its computer systems and revealed the American athletes’ personal information.

Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Simone Biles tweeted that she was on medication because of ADHD.

“I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid,” she said in a tweet. “Please know, I believe in clean sport, have always followed the rules, and will continue to do so as fair play is critical to sport and is very important to me.”

USA Gymnastics backed up Biles’ claim and said she did not break any drug-testing rules since she was approved for “therapeutic-use exemption.”

“Simone has filed the proper paperwork per USADA [U.S. Anti-Doping Association] and WADA requirements, and there is no violation,” Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, said in a statement.

Another Olympic gold medalist, Elena Delle Donne, who is also a WNBA player posted on social media about a successful thumb surgery and the leak of personal medical information.

“Successful surgery today on my right thumb. Thanks for all the well wishes! I’ll be back on the court in no time,” she said. “Side note: I’d like to thank the hackers for making the world aware that I legally take a prescription for a condition I’ve been diagnosed with, which WADA granted me an exemption for. Thanks, guys!”

USA Basketball added in a statement: “Elena Delle Donne has not violated any drug-testing regulations. The required protocols of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) were followed as required for an athlete to receive approval for a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE).”

U.S. tennis star Venus Williams said Tuesday she was “disappointed” when she found out about the hack.

“I have followed the rules established under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program in applying for, and being granted, ‘therapeutic use exemptions,'” she said in a statement. “The applications for TUEs under the Tennis Anti-Doping program require a strict process for approval which I have adhered to when serious medical conditions have occurred.  The exemptions posted in the hacked report are reviewed by an anonymous, independent group of doctors, and approved for legitimate medical reasons.  I am one of the strongest supporters of maintaining the highest level of integrity in competitive sport and I have been highly disciplined in following the guidelines set by WADA, USADA, the ITF and collectively the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.”

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