Spanish Doping Cover Up?

[ChillDoubt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/22359051

Rumours abound as to which other sportsmen were involved with this Doctor.
There is a suggestion in some quarters that a certain Spanish tennis player, along with a high ranked Swiss tennis player were possibly involved in similar activities.

Andy Murray certainly believes this story 'has legs' but it's all dependent upon tracing the rest of the secretly coded blood/blood products.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22363860

If the authorities get to the bottom of this, it could prove bigger than the Armstrong story.

[craft1948]

Suggestion = Law suit

[ChillDoubt]

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/curious-case-of-rafael-nadal.html

http://federerisdoping.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/federer-linked-to-epo-and-other-peds.html

It's certainly out there craft. It just arouses suspicion when the Spanish courts make such a ruling about the blood and it would be foolish to believe that EPO has been used only by cyclists and no other top sportsmen.

There's more to this one.......

[Mattk]

Could explain why Rafa took so long out. I guess we'll have to judge after this seasons majors. If he comes away empty handed then suspicions will grow.

[DaisyNonna]

What a stupid judgement. Why?

[paulllambert]

I'd be more surprised if Nadal had been "clean" throughout his career.

[ChillDoubt]

Seems the IOC aren't happy with the Spanish judge either:

http://m.washingtonpost.com/sports/wada-considers-appeal-after-spanish-court-orders-destruction-of-evidence-in-puerto-case/2013/05/01/441bf798-b23d-11e2-9fb1-62de9581c946_story.html

The Spanish authorities may have to think again, especially as they're bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games in Madrid.
Some top sportsmen will be looking over their shoulders this morning I reckon.

[ChillDoubt]

And a former top athlete adds her incredulity:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/22384668

I really do hope this one snowballs.....

[Cloverjo]

Please, no! I am a massive tennis fan, especially of Federer. If it turns out that either of the two mentioned ..... No I won't believe anything about it until ...no no..

[ChillDoubt]

Cloverjo,
Millions felt the same about Armstrong, including me. Those involved have the chance to come clean before WADA stop the destruction of those blood bags and it goes sportwide.
It may be Spain's bargaining chip to getting the 2020 Olympics.

None of us want to see the worlds best athletes embroiled in this but if they were, it must be made public.

[Cloverjo]

ChillDoubt, I agree these things should be public. I read Armstrong's book before it all came out and believed him then. I was devastated when I was wrong. I would be devastated all over again if top tennis stars had duped me, deprived our nation of Wimbledon and other slam wins, and wasted a lot of my time and money through watching them and cheering them on.
Of course, if anyone has cheated we should know about it. I just don't want it to be true.

[ChillDoubt]

And now Rafa adds his dismay, putting himself in the clear one would hope.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22409004

Nicole Cooke wants the IOC to go so far as to deny Spain 'the Big One' over the whole affair:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/22392989

Surely with so many high profile athletes questioning the Spanish authorities and judgement then WADA must ensure they're not destroyed?

I do hope the campaign continues to gather speed.