TWICKENHAM, England (AP) — World Anti-Doping Agency director general David Howman says the criminal underworld controls “a significant proportion” of world sport, including the distribution of doping substances and attempted bribery of drug-testing labs.
Howman, speaking at the World Sports Law Report’s anti-doping conference outside London, says the integrity of sports is under threat due to the “increasing encroachment” of organized crime gangs involved in steroid trafficking, match-fixing, money-laundering and other corruption.
Howman also raised the possibility of offering financial rewards to national anti-doping bodies to catch dopers, suggesting that some agencies are covering up positive tests to protect their own athletes.
