Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is concerned over new allegations of doping in international weightlifting, specifically Thailand.
WADA was responding to the allegations made in the documentary Secret Doping – the Lord of the Lifters by German broadcaster ARD two days ago.
The documentary alleged that nearly half of the 450 world and Olympic weightlifting champions in the tens from 2008 to 2018 did not undergo any out-of-competition testing when they were winners.
More damaging were the revelations of systematic doping in Thailand weightlifting, including claims that competitors as young as 13 being encouraged to use banned drugs.
WADA confirmed that it’s independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department is aware of the allegations and will continue to pursue its inquiries regarding potential breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code.
WADA was, however, greatly concerned by the documentary’s specific allegations regarding doping of weightlifters in Thailand.
The Agency is expected to follow up with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the Doping Control Agency of Thailand and other stakeholders to gain a clearer picture of the situation.
The ARD documentary, had managed to secretly record Thai weightlifter Siripuch Gulnoi, who confessed to taking drugs before winning an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012.
Gulnoi had claimed that those responsible for weightlifting in Thailand were unconcerned about the unhealthy implications of the doping and alleged young girls were in illegal drugs prior to national competitions.
In March last year, the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) were effectively suspended after nine members of its team at the 2018 IWF World Championships tested positive.
TAWA’s attempt to enter their athletes for the World Championships last year in Pattaya was also scuttled by a stern warning from the International Olympic Committee.
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