The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said yesterday its Independent Commission will urgently launch an investigation into the widespread doping allegations against international athletics.

Yet the organisation said it “deplored” the way the blood test data, which has led to the doping allegations, was obtained, leaked to the media and analysed.

The allegations stem from the TV documentary titled “Doping – Top Secret: The Shadowy World of Athletics”, which was released by German broadcaster ARD on August 1.

The documentary alleges that ARD and Britain’s Sunday Times obtained a leaked database, belonging to athletics’ governing body the IAAF, which contained more than 12,000 blood tests from around 5,000 athletes in the years 2001 to 2012.

“WADA deplores the manner in which this data was obtained, leaked and analysed,” said WADA president Craig Reedie.

“To suggest or imply doping with respect to any athlete whose data is contained within the database is, at the very least, irresponsible and potentially libellous.

“WADA is committed to protecting the confidentiality of athletes; and, therefore, has asked its Independent Commission to start its investigation with urgency.”