German broadcaster claims to have uncovered a secret research programme in Russia to develop new drugs for athletes.

      A report by WDR, which stands for Westdeutscher Rundfunk, features undercover journalists buying Full Size MGF allegedly from researchers of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

      WDR cites the scientists as claiming that “the compound is twice as strong as conventional, and cannot be detected by drug laboratories.”

      MGF, an abbreviation for Mechano Growth Factor, is growth hormone drug.

      According to the report, “initial biochemical studies in Germany have confirmed the authenticity and purity of the drug. The drug is Full Size MGF, which has only been tested in phase I animal trials.”

      Full Size MGF cannot be detected in current analytical procedures, according to the WDR.

      The General Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency, David Howman, was reported to be horrified by the German broadcaster’s investigation.

      The IOC plans to take 2,453 doping samples in Sochi, more than ever before at the Winter Olympics. IOC President Thomas Bach called it the “toughest anti-doping campaign ever in the Olympics”. Two Russian biathletes, including Irina Starykh were found to have positive A samples at the beginning of the week.