I’m surprised that this didn’t get any play on ST (and I apologize for re-posting if I missed it), but I noticed the following on CyclingNews this weekend.
Part of my job involves working as a medical review officer. This means I’m the physician that looks at the lab results and has to make the decision if a test is positive, negative, or needs to be thrown out. Thus, I work pretty closely with various anti-doping / anti-drug abuse programs. We’ll see if these accusations hold any water, but I am horrified at the possible implications of this.
A technician or lab that takes bribes to perform a “private” test could easily take the next step (via a bigger bribe or blackmail in related to taking the first bribe) to alter results. The athlete’s results - turning a positive into a negative. Or, a competitor’s results - turning a negative into positive. Etc…
Currently the European press reports that many of Kohl’s ex teammates or guys from other teams, use the ‘he’s just making things up to not look so bad’ strategy…
Honestly, it’s not very surprising.
Samples are anonymous (or should be) to the lab technician.
The only way to make this happen (bribery at the lab) is to have the concerted efforts of several folks.