WADA's director of intelligence and investigations Gunter Younger told the news portal that they had proven the allegations made by a whistleblower and that the investigation would now focus on determining the "exact nature of the external entity."
According to a report prepared by Younger's team and leaked to Der Spiegel magazine, Valentin Pop had concealed at least two positive doping samples belonging to two unnamed Romanian athletes in 2016. The report noted that "Director Pop did not act alone," and a total of 11 suspects had already been questioned by the investigation team.
READ MORE: Expert Explains How WADA Operating 'Against the Spirit of Sport'
In February, WADA suspended the accreditation of a lab in the Romanian capital of Bucharest for six months over "non-conformities." The facility was slapped with a provisional suspension on November 29, when it was found to be in violation of the International Standard for Laboratories.