The Humanplasma Lab in Vienna, Austria has been under investigation for allegations of performing illegal blood transfusions for athletes. No athletes were initially named until the German television station ARD linked 30 athletes as clients of Humanplasma Lab including Tour de France riders Michael Rasmussen (Denmark), Michael Boogerd (Netherlands), and Denis Menchov (Russia) as well as several other cyclists, biathletes and cross-country skiers, two-thirds of which were German athletes.
The German Skiing Federation (DSV) subsequently decided to take legal action against the journalists employed by the German television station (ARD). Interestingly, ARD is one of the sponsors paying DSV seven million euros for annual television rights to World Cup events. So, it should come as no surprise that ARD promptly issued a public apology for unprofessional behavior and “journalistic errors” in making accusations of illegal blood doping without proof.
Furthermore, there have been suggestions that “Russian criminal elements” may have pressured Austrian officials investigating Humanplasma lab.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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