Sebastian Coe, head of the track and field governing body, the IAAF.

At least 80 track and field athletes may have had some of their medical records accessed by a group of hackers. The IAAF confirmed its systems have been hacked by the same group of hackers that previously cracked into the World Anti-Doping Agency’s computers.

The Russian hacker group Fancy Bears appear to have been targeting one specific database; the records for Therapeutic Use Exemption applications.

“Our first priority is to the athletes who have provided the IAAF with information that they believed would be secure and confidential,” IAAF President Sebastian Coe (seen above) said in a statement. “They have our sincerest apologies and our total commitment to continue to do everything in our power to remedy the situation.”

This is just another blow to the credibility of the IAAF, as if it needed another punch to the gut.

The IAAF has been battling a bit of an image problem in recent years coming out of a doping scandal. The scandal has cost the IAAF sponsorships from Nestle and Adidas. Russia was at the forefront of the doping scandal and ended up being banned from future international competitions by the IAAF as a result. Despite that, Russia officially denied any connection to the hackers. Although, Russia has praised the efforts of the hacking group. The group has began posted medical records of athletes, with a bulk from the United States and Great Britain, last September. Among the athletes whose records were posted included stars in the track and field world such as Mo Farrah.

The IAAF claims it has been in contact with all athletes who may have had their privacy compromised as a result of the hacking.

Maybe it’s time for the IAAF to change their passwords.

[CBC]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.