Connect with us

Culture

'Fake' anti-doping test results leaked after Polish agency targeted by cyber attack

Published

on

'Fake' anti-doping test results leaked after Polish agency targeted by cyber attack

The Polish anti-doping agency (POLADA) said on Wednesday that it was the victim of a cyber attack that led to false details of positive tests from a number of athletes being leaked.

Many of Poland’s most high-profile athletes were listed in the supposed leaks, including tennis world No 1 Iga Swiatek and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been one of Europe’s leading footballers for more than a decade.

The supposed leaks were then shared on social media before being described as “fake” by POLADA.

A statement from the agency on X, formerly Twitter, in response to a since deleted tweet outlining the allegations read: “Info presented in this post about Polish athletes is a fake.

“All of these posts are aimed to discredit Polish athletes, who don’t deserve that cause (sic) they compete clean. Non (sic) of this (sic) athletes was positive and non (sic) of presented dates is matching doping controls which were conducted.”

Advertisement

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the authority that deals with doping in tennis, has told The Athletic that their records have no evidence of any adverse findings for Swiatek.

The agency’s records includes the period Swiatek was alleged to have tested positive, even though at that time anti-doping fell under the remit of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

In a subsequent tweet, POLADA wrote: “In connection with the hacking attack we inform you, that data is used by cyber criminals for various purposes, including widely understood disinformation.

“In the public domain fake news discrediting Polish athletes has appeared. Please do not duplicate them.

Advertisement

“None of the listed athletes will have a positive result and none of the terms presented correspond to conducted anti-doping controls.”

The Swiatek camp referred to POLADA’s statements when contacted for comment.

POLADA is the national anti-doping organisation (NADO) recognised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for Poland.

WADA is responsible for coordinating anti-doping rules and policies across all sports, including tennis and football.

Advertisement

Lewandowski’s representatives have also been contacted for comment.

(Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Try This Quiz on the Real Locations in These Magical and Mysterious Novels

Published

on

Try This Quiz on the Real Locations in These Magical and Mysterious Novels

A strong sense of place can deeply influence a story, and in some cases, the setting can even feel like a character itself. This week’s literary geography quiz highlights real-world locations in novels where mystery and magic drive the plot. To play, just make your selection in the multiple-choice list and the correct answer will be revealed. At the end of the quiz, you’ll find links to the books if you’d like to do further reading.

Continue Reading

Culture

Try This Quiz on Thrilling Books That Became Popular Movies

Published

on

Try This Quiz on Thrilling Books That Became Popular Movies

Welcome to Great Adaptations, the Book Review’s regular multiple-choice quiz about printed works that have gone on to find new life as movies, television shows, theatrical productions and more. This week’s challenge highlights thrillers first published as novels (or graphic novels) that were adapted into popular films. Just tap or click your answers to the five questions below. And scroll down after you finish the last question for links to the books and their screen versions.

Continue Reading

Culture

Test Your Knowledge of the Authors and Events That Helped Shape the United States

Published

on

Test Your Knowledge of the Authors and Events That Helped Shape the United States

Welcome to Lit Trivia, the Book Review’s regular quiz about books, authors and literary culture. In honor of Gen. George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, this week’s super-size challenge is focused on the literature and history related to the American Revolution. In the 10 multiple-choice questions below, tap or click on the answer you think is correct. After the last question, you’ll find links to exhibits, books and other materials related to this intense chapter in the country’s story, including an award-winning biography of the general and first U.S. president.

Continue Reading

Trending