Nordic ski teams in drugs scandals
Wednesday June 9, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

The Russians and The Austrian have been implicated in drug use. FIS has fined the Russians and advised it to put its house in order ahead of the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The International Ski Federation, FIS, has fined the Russian national skiing body €125,000 and advised it to sack several members of its coaching staff.

It follows a number of cases of doping in their nordic skiing team.

Russia hosts the next winter Olympics in 2014 and the world skiing's governing body has issued a "strong recommendation" that Russia appoint new people in charge and new coaches.

It advised it to have a drugs free team for its home 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Training for nordicSince 2009 six Nordic skiers from Russia have been suspended for doping allegations and offences.

The sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, has said the country has already started its campaign to eliminate drugs from the sport.

In a separate development Austrian authorities are reported to have ordered an investigation into 4 doctors who worked with the county's Nordic skiing team.

The Austrian team was caught up in a drugs scandal in the 2006 Turin Olympics after raids on its team base.

We have reported on the aftermath here.

The shadow of suspicion has remained over the Austrian Team.