Revelations that masked runners were being recruited to expose a doping conspiracy in track and field took a new turn Thursday. Reuters news agency retracted its article on the issue after one of its reporters admitted to making arrangements with World Anti-Doping Agency officials (Wada) ) Official recognition for the Masters golf tournament in Augusta Officials participating as journalists.
An investigation by the Observer in July revealed how the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had a Kenyan runner work as a secret agent for years, providing information to his training group and As a result, it has become clear how U.S. federal agents seized a large amount of drugs. Performance-enhancing drugs. During the period in question, a number of Kenyan athletes were sanctioned for doping violations.
A Reuters investigation in August appeared to be critical of the practice, with Wada reportedly saying: “This plan of Usada threatened the integrity of athletic competition… Usada was in clear violation of the rules. Contrary to Usada's claims, Wada did not act under the promise that he would try to obtain incriminating evidence against others. , did not agree with this act of allowing drug fraudsters to compete for years.”
Usada has always said that Wada consented to the surgery, that Wada's rules provided for it, and that once the surgery was completed, the player in question received a reduced salary.
The Times revealed on Thursday The Reuters reporter who covered this story helped Wada's media relations director, James Fitzgerald, secure official media accreditation to compete in the prestigious Masters in April as a Reuters reporter. That's what it means. Media access means free entry to tournaments, as well as access to press conferences and exclusive media events.
As a result, Reuters withdrew an article about Usada's activities, and a spokesperson said: “A journalist who no longer works for Reuters has admitted that he helped Wada's agent obtain a Reuters reporter's license for the 2024 Masters Tournament, which is a violation.'' Meets our journalistic standards.
“As a result, we have retracted the article “Athletes infiltrated?” “World and U.S. anti-doping agencies clash over tactics” and “Wada once again demands Usada to tighten testing.” While we support the accuracy of reporting, Reuters' reporting standards were not met, particularly with regard to avoiding the appearance of bias in our sources. ”
Mr Fitzgerald said: “My attendance at the April event was unrelated to my role at Wada and was a personal matter. All associated costs were borne entirely by me and on my own time. Wada answered questions from Reuters as usual.
After newsletter promotion
The story was published at a time when Usada and Wada were in a verbally abusive relationship, with Usada criticizing Wada for not challenging Chinese authorities over 23 positive tests for trimetazidine. (TMZ), the swim team had two positive tests for methandienone.
“The time has come for all those who value clean sport to join the International Olympic Committee and public authorities to do justice to Wada and restore credibility to the movement,” Usada CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement. ” he said.
