Ekaterine Yorieva, Dmitry Yarochenko and Albina Akhatova have all been cleared for international racing by the Russian biathlon federation, but not by the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
“As soon as their suspension is lifted, they can race again. But they have to repay the prize money they were awarded after their positive doping tests that season,” said IBU Secretary General Nicole Resch to Norwegian newspaper vg.no.
Because it took so long before their B samples were analyzed and they were officially suspended, which was back in the 2008/09 season, we’re not talking pocket change.
According to vg.no, Yorieva owes the most of them, she has to repay the equivalent of almost 100.000 US Dollars. Akhatova owes about half of that, roughly $50,000, while Yarochenko has to fork over about $13,000.
It appears that all three of the former dopers want to get back to racing regardless of the cost. However, there are no automatic returns to the World Cup, they have to qualify by way of strong IBU-Cup performances.
From Strafferunden.no, October 15, 2010. By Ole Kristian Stoltenberg, translation by Inge Scheve
Inge Scheve
Inge is FasterSkier's international reporter, born and bred in Norway. A cross-country ski racer and mountain runner, she also dabbles on two wheels in the offseason. If it's steep and long, she loves it. Follow her on Twitter: @IngeScheve.
