Norwegian newspaper Adressavisen has calculated that Larissa Lazutina owes Bente Skari approximately $3000 in prize money, although Bente is not counting on ever seeing any of it. At a World Cup race in December 2001, Lazutina tested positive for NESP—a blood enhancer similar to the more-common EPO. The positive result was not known until later in the season, allowing Lazutina to race until the end of the Olympics. Another positive test in conjunction with the 30 kilometer final event lead to her initial suspension and loss of the gold medal she won in that event.
 ruling which denied her appeal, Lazutina’s suspension becomes effective from the date of her first positive test. The prize money she had won in the early season’s World Cup events should have gone to other skiers. Adressavisen calculated that Bente Skari, among others, should have taken home more money than they actually did. There is also talk of additional lost money from equipment sponsors’ bonuses. World Cup skiers get performance-based sponsors for results from both World Cup and Olympic events.</p>
<p>“I don’t think I will get the money until I have it in my hand,’ Skari told Adressavisen. “If it does come, there should be some nice Christmas presents this year.” However, she was quick to add that there is little chance that the case would be taken care of in time for Christmas.</p>
<p>“It’s the International Ski Federation which needs to take care of this, because we don’t care to use up time on it,” said the Norwegian women’s team coach, Svein Tore Samdal.</p>
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