Fancy Bear, a group of hackers, has claimed that multiple tennis Grand Slam champions Venus and Serena Williams, as well as four-time Rio 2016 gold medalist Simone Biles and American basketball star Elena Delle Donne, have been the recipients of Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

The allegations by the group, which were first reported by Eurosport Italia before circulating around the Italian media, claim that the American quartet have had the entirely legal exemptions (abbreviated to TUE’s) to be allowed to take these substances. The documents claim that the Williamses have had TUE’s in the past, whilst Biles and Donne Delle had them in place for Rio.

Fancy Bear release documents which claim of TUE use

Eurosport Italia was the first notable website to publish the allegations made by Fancy Bear, though the news was quickly reported by several other Italian news outlets; Il Fatto Quotidiano.It is amongst those who have since reported the claims.

The report by Il Fatto Quotidiano includes the rumored documents which the hackers claim are official documents, with these documents supposedly revealing the substances for which the Williamses, Biles, and Delle Donne receive TUE’s for.

According to the rumored document, Serena Williams received approval on April 2nd, 2014, for her us of the drug Prednisone, a corticosteroid, which can be used to treat certain Inflammatory diseases such as allergies and autoimmune diseases, from the 21st to 30th March 2014. The document states that the world number one orally took 20 mg of the drug once a day. It is also claimed that Williams has had for TUE’s for Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Prednisolone, and Methylprednisolone.

The reported document which supposedly shows Serena Williams's use of Prednisode under TUE in 2014 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)
The reported document which supposedly shows Serena Williams's use of Prednisone under TUE in 2014 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)

A separate document for Venus Williams claims that the current world number seven received a TUE for the use of Triamcinolone, which is claimed to have been approved on December 23rd, 2011 until January 31st the following year. ; around the same time as her diagnosis with Sjogren Syndrome. In some countries, Triamcinolone is only approved for veterinary use.

The reported document which reportedly shows Venus Williams' use of Triamcinolone under TUE (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)
The reported document which reportedly shows Venus Williams' use of Triamcinolone under TUE (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)

No details are given about the alleged positive tests in Rio for Williamses, though Fancy Bear have released a document which they claim shows that Biles did test positive during the games. The alleged document suggests that the Gymnast had a drugs test on August 14th, and the test came through as positive for Methylphenidate, which can be used to treat conditions such as ADHD, and Ritalinic Acid.

A document reportedly suggesting that Simone Biles tested positive whilst having a TUE at Rio 2016 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)
A document reportedly suggesting that Simone Biles tested positive whilst having a TUE at Rio 2016 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)
Another document which claims that Simone Biles had a TUE in Rio 2016 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)
Another document which claims that Simone Biles had a TUE in Rio 2016 (Credit: Il Fatto Quotidiano)

Delle Donne is claimed to have had positive tests for Amphetamines and Hydrocortisone.

In the past hour, WADA has confirmed the hack, saying that they "deeply regret" the situation and that is working with the appropriate authorities to correctly establish how Fancy Bear undertook the hack, and how to prevent future attacks.

Fancy Bear claim they will release more information in the future.