FIS sanctions Russian ski federation over doping

[Tyler'sTwin]

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — The International Ski Federation warned Russia on Thursday to clean up its act on doping or risk having its athletes barred from the 2014 Winter Olympics on home soil in Sochi.

FIS also fined the Russian Ski Association 180,000 Swiss francs ($156,000; €127,000) and ordered some Russian coaches to be fired because of persistent doping by its athletes before the 2010 Vancouver Games.

The governing body issued a "strong recommendation" that Russia install new leaders and coaches who were not involved in "multiple" doping cases in recent seasons, notably in cross-country skiing.

A fresh start would help "in view of building up a new team for Sochi 2014 that rejects doping," FIS said in a statement.

The FIS ruling council gave Russian officials a Nov. 1 deadline to improve its anti-doping program or face further penalties.

The toughest possible sanction would be to "suspend that national ski association's membership for a period of up to four years," FIS said in a statement.

Suspending membership would prevent Russia's athletes from competing in FIS competitions, including the Winter Olympics, and bar officials from taking part in FIS meetings and decision-making. Russia also would not be allowed to host World Cup races.

Under FIS rules, a four-year suspension is allowed if eight anti-doping violations are committed in a 12-month period by athletes or others affiliated with a national association.

FIS said Russian skiers failed a "high number" of drug tests, and criticized the federation's "lack of adherence" to anti-doping rules.

It ordered cross-country coach Anatoly Chepalova, who worked with Sergey Shiryaev and Julia Chepalova, to be removed from any position of authority or influence on athletes.

Coaches and medical advisers to three other skiers caught using the banned blood-booster EPO — Evgeni Dementiev, Natalia Matveeva and Nina Rysina — should be "removed indefinitely" from their jobs, FIS said.

The fine imposed Thursday amounts to half the funding Russia's federation was entitled to get from FIS in 2009. The remaining half could be taken away in November if Russia does not make progress, FIS said.

The governing body said Russian officials had expressed "sincerest remorse for the situation" and had begun working to improve the anti-doping program.

http://www.kgw.com/sports/95509099.html

 

[Animal]

Same as ever. Working to improve the anti testing positive program.

All sports are tainted. I just can't engage with them. Just look at Murray's outburst. A whole bunch of self indulgent prima donnas.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

The toughest possible sanction would be to "suspend that national ski association's membership for a period of up to four years," FIS said in a statement.

Suspending membership would prevent Russia's athletes from competing in FIS competitions, including the Winter Olympics, and bar officials from taking part in FIS meetings and decision-making. Russia also would not be allowed to host World Cup races.

Under FIS rules, a four-year suspension is allowed if eight anti-doping violations are committed in a 12-month period by athletes or others affiliated with a national association.

Now, the FIS is on to something there. Banning the National Fed from participating in elite level events and regulatory meetings.

If applied to cycling, this could be a more imposing deterrent to doping. Skiing is typical a national based competitive forum, whereas cycling is mostly composed of trade teams, except for Worlds and Olympics.

 

[hektoren]

Now, the FIS is on to something there. Banning the National Fed from participating in elite level events and regulatory meetings.

If applied to cycling, this could be a more imposing deterrent to doping. Skiing is typical a national based competitive forum, whereas cycling is mostly composed of trade teams, except for Worlds and Olympics.

Eight counts of doping in any give year among, say, Italian riders, and NO Italian rider allowed in any elite event for a year or two. Wow, that would hurt.......

 

[Tubeless]

Now, the FIS is on to something there. Banning the National Fed from participating in elite level events and regulatory meetings.

If applied to cycling, this could be a more imposing deterrent to doping. Skiing is typical a national based competitive forum, whereas cycling is mostly composed of trade teams, except for Worlds and Olympics.

This is akin to UCI ordering a manager or doctor out of a pro team. FIS is trying to put pressure at the team management level - which would be a welcome fresh approach for UCI as well.

Also it would be more effective than today's individual responsibilty code to have a rule where say if 4 riders from the same team caught within a 2-year period would cause an automatic suspension of the team from protour races for 2 years. Fair?

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

I agree that cycling needs to go beyond merely punishing the riders. This is a fantastic move by FIS. I believe the IBU may take away world cup slots from a nation because of doping. That only hurts the B-teamers though.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

So, what docs and DS' should be sacked if the UCI were to copy this approach?