New Brunswick biker Catharine Pendrel has personal data leaked

Olympic bronze medalist Catharine Pendrel is the latest victim of a data dump by a Russian hacker group known as Fancy Bears. The group leaked confidential therapeutic information about Pendrel and 41 other athletes.  

"It's not something scandalous. It's just that I received medication for a surgery and applied for a TUE and was granted one," said Pendrel. TUE stands for therapeutic use exemption.

It's not something scandalous. It's just that I received medication for a surgery and applied for a TUE and was granted one.- Catharine Pendrel

Other Canadians targeted by Fancy Bear include rugby sevens captain Jen Kish, swimmers Katerine Savard and Michelle Williams, gymnast Brittany Rogers, rower Julien Bahain and cyclist Raphael Gagne. Kish, Savard and Williams won bronze in their respective events.

The files were stolen from the World Anti-Doping Agency. It lists athletes given medical exemptions for substances normally banned. 

"They're taking advantage of athletes that are trying to follow the letter of the law in terms of anti-doping and trying to make those people look guilty," said Pendrel. 

"It's not a state-sponsored doping scandal. It's people that are applying  for medical exception if there's a medical reason that warrants it."

Pendrel filed for a TUE in April to use Remifentanil as a pain killer when undergoing surgery on a broken thumb. Pendrel knew it was a possibility that information would be made public when she saw the Russian hacker group naming other people who had gone through the same process.  

"They're going to obviously try to go for people who have higher profile and winning an Olympic medal is higher profile," said Pendrel. 

Public perception

Pendrel has already received a letter of apology from the World Anti-Doping Agency. She posted her story on her Facebook page, explaining to her fans and followers what happened.

Pendrel says it can be tough to be an athlete during times like this. She says even getting a routine surgery can be nerve wracking for an athlete that doesn't want anybody to think there's something funny going on.

"As an athlete, you're kind of made to feel guilty and scared to even have a surgery which you obviously need," said Pendrel.

"It's always on you to prove your innocence and transparency. Sometimes that can be frustrating because you're just out there working hard to be as good as you can in your sport."