Russian Skiers banned for doping
PARIS, (AFP) — Triple Olympic champion Julia Tchepalova and fellow Russian nordic skier Natalia Matveeva have been slapped with doping bans by the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Tchepalova is among the most successful women nordic skiers of the past decade, winning Olympic gold in 1998, 2002 and 2006 and claiming world titles in 2001 and 2005.
After testing positive for the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) during a World Cup leg in Val di Fiemme, Italy on January 3, 2009 the 33-year-old has been banned from competition until August 20, 2011.
Matveeva, 23, also tested positive for EPO, on January 16 at a World Cup leg in Whistler, Canada – the venue which will host the cross country events at the 2010 Olympic Games. She is suspended until March 12, 2011.
Both skiers have the right to appeal FIS’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
