The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that British Cycling and UK Anti- Doping (UKAD) confirmed "possible misconduct" by "individuals".

WADA's Independent Information and Investigations (I&I) Division conducted an investigation into the allegations, known as "Operation Echo," which was launched in March of this year following reports of alleged cheating at British Cycling and UKAD.

"'Operation Echo' identified possible fraud by individuals at both British Cycling and UKAD at that time. Following this investigation, a copy of our report was provided to the WADA Compliance, Rules and Standards Department for review. In addition, a summary report was provided to the International Cycling Union, the governing body under which British Cycling operates, and to the UK Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for their attention," said WADA I&I Director Gunther Younger.

A summary of the "Operation Echo" report was released Tuesday, confirming that in February 2011, as part of a study on possible supplement contamination, British Cycling collected samples of androgens and nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, from elite cyclists. It was confirmed that the samples were collected and screened.

Contrary to the rules established by the World Anti-Doping Code and relevant international standards, UKAD allowed samples to be collected by British Cycling staff rather than doping control personnel and analyzed by a non-WADA accredited laboratory The summary revealed that UKAD had allowed samples to be taken by British Cycling staff and analyzed by a non-WADA-accredited laboratory. Further, this was provided by the riders on the assumption that UKAD would never know the results.

The report also established that at least one UKAD employee had knowledge of this research and sample collection and that they were being analyzed by a non-WADA-accredited laboratory.

and that the WADAD had no record of receiving any emails relating to the analysis results and the events.

WADA also stated that British Cycling and UKAD were not penalized.

"'Operation Echo' will not recommend corrective action because those involved in the 2011 incident are no longer employed by UKAD and UKAD has already put safeguards in place to avoid a recurrence."

WADA I&I will be working with British Cycling and It is important to acknowledge that we have received full cooperation and transparency from UKAD," Younger said.

After the "Operation Echo" brief was released, UKAD said it welcomed the findings and, according to a BBC report, "these issues will not be done today."

"The report from WADA reveals that the results of all tests conducted by British Cycling were negative and points out that UKAD's own extensive testing of British Cycling athletes at the time was negative."

The BBC also reported that after the release of the "Operation Echo" summary, British Cycling stated that it found "no fault" with the organization or the unnamed athletes involved in the investigation for the WADA findings. British Cycling also stated that it conducted the inspection "with the explicit approval sought and granted" by UKAD's legal director. 21]

"The 2011 events described in the WADA review cannot be repeated by British Cycling today, and there is no room for complacency. While there is no room for complacency, we are proud of the progress we have made towards our ambition to become the world's leading governing body."

"We are proud of the progress we have made towards our goal of becoming the world's leading governing body.

"Operation Echo" also investigated two other separate allegations that UKAD released individual athlete Athlete Biological Passport data to British Cycling in 2016 and tainted after adverse analysis results No evidence was found to support the allegation that the two athletes, who were pursuing a supplement defense, were allowed to personally test the products in question.

The full "Operation Echo" report can be found here.

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