Russian Hackers Release Private Medical Records Of US Athletes

They go by "Fancy Bear". Well, for a group of criminal hackers, that's at least a pretty cute name.

The World Anti-Doping Agency's athlete database has come under attack by Russian hackers, who have gone on to release the private medical information of Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Simone Biles. Yikes.

According to the ABC, details released so far show that, prior to the Rio Olympics last month, all three athletes received medical exemptions to use banned drugs. The drugs in question have been described as commonly prescribed medications for pain and allergies.

Biles won four gold medals and a bronze for gymnastics at Rio. Venus Williams managed a silver in mixed doubles tennis, but world champ Serena went home empty-handed.

Simone Biles has responded to these allegations via Twitter.

The Williams sisters have yet to release a public statement.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has said none of the drugs violate protocol, because the athletes in question had taken all necessary steps to seek and obtain approvals.

The group behind this cyber-attack are Fancy Bear hackers (also referred to as Tsar Team), and are possibly linked to the breach of the U.S. Democratic National Committee's servers two months ago. Coincidence much?

Russia was widely condemned by anti-doping regulators in the lead up to Rio. There was even a recommendation that a blanket ban should be imposed on all Russian athletes.

The hackers posted on their website that the US had "played well but not fair" in Rio, suggestive of a double-standard in global anti-doping regulation. They've also said "we will start with the U.S. team" indicating that, perhaps, there will be more revelations to come.

For a bunch of 'grade A' criminal hackers, you'd think that their on-site graphics would be better, but apparently not.

Photo: Twitter - @Simon_Biles.