German public television ARD / Sportschau.de reports that since March 2020 the Germany National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA Deutchland) has violated World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code by secretly not publicly releasing the names and case details of at least 76 athletes found guilty of doping violations.

After an amateur cyclist was found guilty of doping five years ago and challenged the release of their name and case details, NADA Deutchland has claimed publishing personal information of dopers is not legal due to Germany’s interpretation of the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP).

Other EU anti-doping agencies that also follow GDRP (including Italy, France, Austria and Portugal) have no issues releasing the names of dopers. They do it to not only follow WADA code, but also to point out to would-be dopers a years-long ban is nothing compared to the sobering real-world consequences of publically being labeled a “doper” for life.

Now, it seems athletes in Germany can dope virtually anonymously, serve a “time-out” ban and never fully face the true consequences of their actions.

In a recent Gran Fondo Daily article, Interview With A Doper, an amateur Italian cyclist told of the consequences, good and bad, when his name, case details and sanction were released publicly:

The world collapsed around me.

I [felt] a warm shiver, a sense of emptiness and immediately looked for a way to remedy the mistake made. I admitted my faults, there was no point in denying. Only telling the truth could make me worthy of the mistake I made.

The world lashed out as it should. Dopers were treated as a negative example and massacred everywhere. The saddest thing was to have thrown away years of effort and above all, dignity.

My non-cycling friends did not understand what could push someone to dope, only those who cycle know that the temptation is great.

NADO [Italia] did its duty, and every day I thank that it happened to me because it brought me back to reality.

Photo Credit: Bas Czerwinski/Getty

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