By Antonio J. Salmerón
The suspicion of doping returns to Spain and Germany, after the German Athletics Federation (DLV) presented to the office of the public prosecutor in Magdeburgh a complaint against the Spanish doctor Miguel Angel Peraita today.
The DLV accuses Peraita, an expert in anabolic training, of being linked with the cases of doping in cycling unearthed in the Operación Puerto investigation in Spain and Eufemiano Fuentes, the doctor at the centre of the allegations, according to an official press note sent by the German Federation today. Well-known Dutch athlete Jos Hermens was also implicated.
The German federation has accused Peraita of being involved in the trafficking of medicine for doping purposes. From his agency Global Sports Communication, Peraita handled the professional life of hundreds of athletes and took Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie to the success.
Peraita's name had already arisen in the Puerto investigations in February, when he was tied to former German trainer of athletics, Thomas Springstein, sentenced to 16 months imprisonment in March. Springstein was condemned by the First Instance Court of Magdeburg, which convicted him for giving the then 16-year-old athlete Anne-Kathrin Elbe a prohibited substances in 2004. According to the mentioned Court, he committed a "serious violation of the legislation on medicines" when giving to the young athlete a bottle that contained the substance 'testosterone-undecaonat', explaining to her that it was "vitamins".
Springstein was given advice by email from Pareita, claims the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension
April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension
March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations
March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence
February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags
February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict
February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation
February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy
February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto
