On the first day of the World Conference on Doping, World-Anti Doping Agency president Dick Pound shared his thoughts on Operación Puerto and the possible involvement of athletes from sports other than cycling.
"It just doesn't make sense that only cyclists are dopers," Pound, who believes the Puerto case goes beyond just cycling, to the Associated Press. "The only documents given to me are related to cyclists. That is quite different to saying that all of the documents don't include other sports."
Pound was responding to Spanish Sports Minister Jaime Lissavetzky, who had said the documents provided to various federations and organizing bodies were cycling-related.
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"The only sport that this refers to is cycling, that's it," Lissavetzky had said according to the Associated Press. "We have worked with the official reports issued by the Civil Guard and that is what the judge is using. We haven't covered up any information and won't in the future. These innuendoes are baseless."
Some newspapers have alleged the involvement of athletes from other sports, Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes, a key figure in the case, has admitted that some of his clients were football players, although not for purposes of doping. The International Olympic Committee asked last week that the Spanish courts share documents so that all sports bodies may prosecute all athletes implicated in the case.
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension
April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension
March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations
March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence
February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags
February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict
February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation
February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy
February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto
