Summary of Operation Hercules / Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department. -- Montreal : WADA, 2021
The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department has published its summary report following an investigation into allegations that the National Anti-Doping Organization of Ukraine (NADC) engaged in practices that contravened the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).
WADA I&I’s investigation, known as ‘Operation Hercules’, was launched in 2019, and has uncovered evidence to suggest that since 2012 NADC has conducted unjustified advance-notice sample collections, arranging to test athletes – including groups of athletes – by appointment at the NADC offices. The ISTI states that, save in exceptional and justifiable circumstances, sample collection must take place with no advance warning to the athlete – a fundamental feature of an effective, unpredictable testing program.
‘Operation Hercules’ has compelling evidence to suggest that in 2021, NADC knowingly reported at least six in-competition samples as out-of-competition samples, in contravention of various articles of the World Anti-Doping Code and the ISTI. The Doping Control Forms (DCFs) for the six misreported samples confirm they were collected in competition but, in each instance, the DCFs listed the sample as being collected “out-of-competition”.
WADA I&I commissioned a re-analysis of these six samples through the in-competition laboratory analysis menu, which includes more prohibited substances than the out-of-competition analysis menu. All sample results were returned negative (i.e. without a prohibited substance).
“‘Operation Hercules’ has raised serious questions about the integrity of NADC’s testing practices, and the competence of some staff. Moreover, the apparent longevity and brazenness of these practices suggests significant organizational failings within NADC.”
Due to the gravity of the allegations and the risk posed by any continuation of the alleged non-compliance by NADC, ‘Operation Hercules’ provided all pertinent information from its investigation to the relevant entities prior to the finalization of this report. This included the relevant departments of WADA, namely, the Compliance, Rules and Standards Department and the Testing Department, for their immediate action. A compliance process has been initiated regarding NADC, under the provisions of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories.
‘Operation Hercules’ also investigated allegations that a doping and protection scheme existed within the Ukrainian Athletics Federation (FLAU) but found no evidence to support this charge. However, potential evidence of erythropoietin (EPO) trafficking was identified against an individual from within FLAU. The individual in question has denied the allegation and ‘Operation Hercules’ has reported this matter to the Athletics Integrity Unit for its consideration.
