Two U.S. cross country skiers who were placed on a no-start hold due to elevated hemoglobin levels last week were cleared to start by the International Ski Federation. U.S. Olympic Team medical officials received the clearance following re-testing by the two athletes, Leif Zimmerman (Bozeman, MT) and Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) on Monday.
“We're happy to have Leif and Kikkan cleared to compete,” said U.S. Ski Team Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner.
Randall is scheduled to compete in Tuesday's team sprint event. Zimmerman is likely to see action later in the Games, possibly in the 50-km event.
German star Evi Sachenbacher Stehle also was approved to race in the team sprint event.
Canadian Sean Crook will not be racing until the individual sprint on Feb 22, and has not taken a re-test yet.
Source: USST, FIS
