Yekaterina lourieva was found to have doped at the Biathlon World Championships. (Getty Images)Biathlon World Champion Suspended for Doping
The women’s world champion in biathlon, Ekaterina Iourieva, was banned for doping before the start of the 2009 world championships in PyeongChang, Korea.
Iourieva and two of her Russian teammates, Albina Akhatova and Dmitri Yaroshenko had their positive tests confirmed by the International Biathlon Union. The IBU added they would pursue disciplinary measures against the trio.
According to the IBU, they tested positive for a prohibited substances during a World Cup event in Ostersund, Sweden last December. IBU would not say which substance they tested positive for.
IBU President Anders Besseberg said he was infuriated by the tests and said doping is widespread in the sport.
"Unlike previous doping cases, we are now facing systematic doping on a large scale in one of the strongest teams of the world," said Besseberg.
"Is that all or just the tip of the iceberg?"
Besseberg said the Union will go after everyone who was complicit in this, at all levels.
"We will do our best to find out who are the people behind the affair. Punishing only the athletes is not enough."
Depending on the severity of the ban, the Russians could miss the Olympics in Vancouver.
Gold Medalists Opposed to Tennis Anti-Doping Rules
Gold medalist in tennis, Serena Williams has agreed with Rafael Nadal’s criticism ofSerena Williams said she is opposed to tennis’ new anti-doping rules. (Getty Images)new anti-doping procedures that require tennis athletes be available for testing one hour daily.
“I’m always complaining to my agents. I never tell people where I am, because I like to do my own thing,” she said.
“One time, I was out at dinner and someone turned up at my house to test me. I think I might even have got a strike,” she added.
Nadal stated earlier in February that the rules make him feel like a criminal.
“Not even my mother knows where I am every day. It is very difficult to know where you are going to be tomorrow especially in a sport like tennis.”
The two are part of a growing chorus of criticism from professional players over the new rules.
Under those rules, a player could face a two-year ban if they miss three tests in an 18-month period.
CAS Pares Down Lifetime Ban
The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut Austrian cross-country ski coach Emil Hoch’s lifetime ban to 15 years for a doping offense during the 2006 Olympics.
Hoch helped athletes hide blood doping activities, according to CAS. Italian police discovered medical devices which could be used for illegal doping after a raid during the Turin Olympics.
FIS banned Hoch and several Austrian cross-country skiers.
CAS changed the lifetime ban when they couldn’t rule out that Hoch acted alone.
Written by Ed Hula III.