Poland’s anti-doping agency, POLADA, has confirmed it was the target of a malicious cyber attack that resulted in the release of false information implicating some of the country’s most prominent athletes in doping scandals. Among the names falsely associated with the claims were world No. 1 tennis star Iga Swiatek and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, causing widespread confusion and concern.
The baseless allegations quickly spread online, but POLADA acted swiftly to clear the air, issuing a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) account. “Info presented in this post about Polish athletes is a fake,” POLADA declared, emphasizing that the claims were completely unfounded. The agency reassured the public that all the named athletes, including Swiatek, compete clean and that none had tested positive for banned substances.
POLADA further elaborated on the incident, revealing that the cyber attack was part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Polish athletes. “In connection with the hacking attack, we inform you that data is used by cyber criminals for various purposes, including widely understood disinformation,” the agency stated. They reiterated that none of the doping allegations were true and that the purported testing dates did not align with any actual anti-doping controls conducted.
Tennis doping authorities, including the Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), also confirmed there were no adverse findings against Swiatek, who is currently competing in the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. This incident has undoubtedly been an unwelcome distraction for Swiatek as she transitions from clay to hard courts, aiming to fine-tune her game ahead of the US Open.
Swiatek, who recently secured a bronze medal for Poland at the Paris Olympics, has been vocal about the intense demands placed on tennis players by the sport’s relentless schedule. Speaking before her first match in Cincinnati, she highlighted the growing challenges of maintaining peak performance amid an increasingly grueling calendar. “Our calendar is crazy, probably the toughest one in sports,” Swiatek remarked, noting that tennis offers far less downtime compared to other physically demanding sports.
Despite the external distractions and the physical toll of the season, Swiatek remains focused on her game. Reflecting on her Olympic experience, she expressed pride in her performance and the mental resilience she displayed under pressure. Now, as she looks ahead to the US Open, Swiatek is determined to regroup and bring her best form to the hard courts.
The cyber attack and the subsequent false allegations have caused significant disruption, but POLADA’s quick response has helped to protect the reputations of Poland’s top athletes. For Swiatek, the focus now returns to her performance on the court as she continues her quest for more titles.
Photo from Iga Swiatek Instagram
