The Operation Puerto doping case may be closed without the identities of 29 athletes linked to the scandal being revealed.
A number of athletes have been identified via DNA tests of 200 blood bags seized in police raids in 2006.
Doping authorities have been battling for years to publish the names of those connected with the scandal, but their attempts may be coming to a close.
Spanish newspaper AS (opens in new tab) is reporting that the Constitutional Court has rejected an attempt by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to use the blood bags to identify the athletes.
In June 2017, the Provincial Court of Madrid blocked WADA from identifying the 26 male and three female athletes linked to the Puerto investigation.
>>> Former Trek-Segafredo rider André Cardoso banned more than a year after EPO positive
The court prevented the naming of the athletes because there are no active cases against them – the WADA 10-year time limit on disciplinary action has passed so no action can be taken.
Athletes from a number of sports are believed to be involved, including several cyclists.
WADA took the decision to the Constitutional Court in an attempt to overturn the decision, but As reports that the attempt was rejected.
Operation Puerto was launched in 2006 and centred around Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
Big name riders were implicated in the scandal, including Alejandro Valverde, Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, and Frank Schleck.
The names of the 26 men and three women linked to Puerto through the blood bags have not been published due to fear of lawsuits from those involved.
Earlier this year, the Spanish Criminal Court ordered that the blood bags be released to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) for examination, but the committee declined to take possession of the samples.
It now falls to WADA lawyers and a data protection experts to fight to identify those linked with the scandal, with the final decision being made in May.
But the Constitutional Court ruling means it is likely that Puerto will be closed without the names being published.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
'Don't use the bike': OPEN recalls all of its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped bikes and framesets
In Cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, OPEN Cycle has sent out a recall for all its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped gravel and road bikes.
-
Tour of Flanders 2023: Five men and five women to watch on Sunday
Taking a closer look at the favourites ahead of this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
-
29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
