FIS Doping Panel sanctions four athletes
Portoroz, 28th May, 2007/ — At its meeting in Portoroz (SLO), the FIS Doping Panel reviewed and adjudicated four violations of FIS Anti-Doping Rules, applying the following sanctions:
The FIS Doping Panel found Cross-Country skier Sergey Shiryaev (RUS) to have committed an anti-doping rule violation contrary to Articles 2.1 of the FIS Anti-Doping Rules. He tested positive for the use of the Prohibited Substance Erythropoietin (EPO), identified on the WADA Prohibited List 2007 in Class S2 Hormones and related Substances during a doping control on 21st February 2007 in Sapporo (JPN).
For a first-time violation, the athlete was sanctioned to a two-year period of ineligibility. The period of ineligibility commences as from the date of the publication and communication of this decision to the Russian Ski Association on 28th May 2007 with credit for the period of provisional suspension from 4th March 2007 to 27th May 2007. The athlete is therefore ineligible to participate in any capacity in an event or activity authorized or organized by FIS or any National Ski Association from 28th May 2007 until 4th March 2009 and his results shall be annulled from the date on which the Prohibited Substance was found.
Although it is not a requirement of the FIS Anti-Doping Rules that the member National Ski Association enters into proceedings in an international doping case, the Russian Ski Association has chosen to do so in this case. Their enquiries led to sanctions against two coaches Alexander Bazajchenko and Anatoly Tchepalov in addition to the athlete. Since these decisions conform to the regulations of the FIS Anti-Doping Rules that are compiled in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, the FIS Doping Panel sees no reason to change these decisions.
As a result, the FIS Doping Panel noted that given the prompt and thorough actions of the Russian Ski Association and the Russian Ski Cross-Country Federation, both should be recognized for their efforts for doping-free sport.
Secondly, the FIS Doping Panel found Cross-Country skiers Andrey Kondryshev (KAZ) and Yevgeniy Koschevoy (KAZ) to have committed an anti-doping rule violation contrary to Article 2.1 of the FIS Anti-Doping Rules. Both tested positive for the use of the Prohibited Substance Testosterone, identified on the WADA Prohibited List 2007 in Class S1b Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, during a WADA out-of-competition doping control on 12th February 2007 in Otaki (JPN).
The sanction for a first doping violation is two (2) years’ ineligibility. The period of ineligibility commences as from the date of the publication and communication of this decision to the Kazakhstan Ski Association on 28th May 2007 with credit for the period of provisional suspension from 27th April 2007 to 27th May 2007. The athletes are therefore ineligible to participate in any capacity in an event or activity authorized or organized by FIS or any National Ski Association from 28th May 2007 until 27th April 2009 in accordance with Art. 10.9. In accordance with Article 10.7, the athletes’ results shall be annulled from the date on which the Prohibited Substance was found.
Finally, the FIS Doping Panel found Cross-Country skier Ruslan Ochilov (KAZ) to have committed an anti-doping rule violation contrary to Articles 2.1 of the FIS Anti-Doping Rules. He tested positive for the use of the Prohibited Substance Norandrosteron (Nandrolone), identified on the WADA Prohibited List 2007 in Class S1 Anabolic Agents, at a doping control during the FIS Junior World Ski Championships on 13th March 2007 in Tarvisio (ITA).
For a first-time violation, the athlete was sanctioned for a two-year period of ineligibility from 28th May 2007 until 27th April 2009 and his results shall be annulled from the date on which the Prohibited Substance was found.
The FIS Doping Panel expressed its serious concern regarding the cases of the athletes from Kazakhstan. It is apparent that the Kazakhstan Ski Association is not facing its responsibilities related to anti-doping. Of particular concern is the positive case of a junior athlete (Ochilov).
Following review of the circumstances of the cases, the FIS Council decided to sanction the Kazakhstan Ski Association for its role in the cases of Andrey Kondryshev, Yevgeniy Koschevoy and Ruslan Ochilov (KAZ) with a fine of CHF 10’000 per athlete, totalling CHF 30’000 in FIS financial support. The remainder of all funds of the Kazakhstan Ski Association are also suspended until the Association demonstrates it is properly undertaking its role and obligations with anti-doping work.
