Following the recent decision by the Madrid Court of Appeal to provide access to the stored Operation Puerto blood and plasma bags of athletes from cycling and other sports, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) can confirm that, alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), it is now in possession of samples of the blood and plasma bags; and that, the samples are stored in a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Spain. The UCI and WADA will continue their joint investigation into Operation Puerto, and will consider all possible legal options.
The UCI will make no further comment at this time.
Notes to Editors “Operation Puerto” is a Spanish Police investigation into a doping ring led by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. In 2006, 211 blood and plasma bags were seized from the offices of Dr. Fuentes.