WADA, UCI have Operation Puerto blood samples
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Cycling Union (UCI) said Wednesday they have taken possession of stored blood samples and plasma bags from the Spanish "Operation Puerto" doping case.
A Madrid appeals court provided access to the samples from cyclists and athletes in tennis and football to WADA and the UCI last month and those samples are now being stored at an unspecified WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Spain.
"WADA and the UCI will continue their joint investigation into Operation Puerto, and will consider all possible legal options," the joint statement said.
In May of 2006, 211 blood and plasma bags were seized by Spanish police from the offices or Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes as part of a suspected doping ring.
Fuentes was given a one-year suspended sentence for endangering public health. Five cyclists were found to have violated anti-doping rules. A judge had ordered the bags destroyed but appeals by WADA and UCI among others led to authorities handing over the evidence instead.