Bad business. 200 days before the Paris 2024 Games, the Spanish sports movement is strongly shaken by the turbulence. The Superior Sports Council, the highest government sports authority, has asked the director of the national anti-doping agency (CELAD), José Luis Terreros (photo above), to resign as soon as possible. He is suspected of financial embezzlement and irregularities in anti-doping controls and sanctions. It all started with the publication of an investigation by the Spanish media Relief, dated December 27, 2023. It reveals that CELAD would have covered up positive doping tests of Spanish athletes by various methods. One of them consisted of letting the maximum period of one year elapse before informing athletes of their results, then notifying the athlete declared positive by post, further increasing the delay. The athlete could thus contest his sanction with the Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD), with every chance of winning his case. Another method revealed by Relevo: the issuance of retroactive therapeutic use authorizations (TUEs). According to the Spanish media's investigation, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) would have let this happen without taking the slightest measure against CELAD, accusations strongly contested by the body based in Montreal. In a long press release published at the end of last week, WADA explains having had “ awareness of ongoing problems” within the Spanish agency, “ including several issues related to controls and results management. » The president of the AMA, the Pole Witold Bańka, insists: “ We are well aware of the existence of deep problems within the Spanish anti-doping organization. I am disappointed with the level of cooperation we have received from CELAD as we seek to improve the system for Spanish athletes. The fact that positive cases were not dealt with in a timely manner, despite WADA's regular monitoring, is unacceptable. WADA will always ensure that CELAD – and all anti-doping organizations – are held to the highest standards in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, including taking legal action if necessary. All of these matters are subject to further investigation by WADA. If they are not dealt with quickly and effectively, it is clear that there will be significant consequences for Spanish sport. » In Spain, authorities announced that José Luis Terreros would be dismissed from his position by the Minister of Education and Sports, Pilar Alegría, and the President of the Sports Council, José Rodriguez Uribes, if he did not submit himself his resignation.
