IAAF says it has suffered Russian cyber attacks

Global Athletics governing body (IAAF) said on Monday it had suffered a suspected Russian cyber attack, which it believes has compromised information about athletes’ medical records.

A statement from the organisation said a Russian hacking group known as Fancy Bears was believed to be behind the attack in February targeting information concerning applications by athletics for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, which are issued by sports federations and national anti-doping organizations to allow athletes to take certain banned substances for verified medical needs.

Last year, the same group hacked into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) database and published the confidential medical records of several dozen athletes.

The IAAF banned Russia after a WADA commission report found evidence of state-sponsored doping. Russia missed the track and field events at the Rio Olympics last year and is likely to also miss the world athletics championships in London in August.