FIS Roundup -- 2015 World Championships; Doping Sanctions

Vail, Falun Win FIS Vote for 2015 World Championships

The FIS Alpine world championships will return to the U.S. in 2015. The bid from Beaver Creek resort in Vail, Colorado won on the first vote of the FIS Council, defeating Cortina d’Ampezzo and St. Moritz for the event.

The vote for the 2015 Nordic world champs went to three rounds of voting, with Falun, Sweden the winner. Obertsdorf, Austria went out first, Zakopane, Poland went second, with Lahti, Finland in the final round against Falun.

The FIS Council meeting was held in Antalya, Turkey, where the annual FIS Congress is taking place.

Ski Federation Sanctions Russia

The Russian Ski Association could face a suspension from the International Ski Federation for the high number of doping offenses involving Russian skiers.

FIS sanctioned the RSA "as a response to the high number of doping cases and lack of adherence to the FIS Anti-Doping Rules".

However, FIS acknowledged in a statement "The Russian Ski Association has expressedits sincerest remorse for the situation and informed FIS about the serious work that has been initiated at the very highest level in Russia in the fight against doping."

Russia has to prepare a report to FIS detailing their measures to strengthen anti-doping measures and deliver it to the federation by Nov. 1.

FIS fined the RSA more than $150,000, issued a "strong recommendation" to install new officials and a "formal request" that the coaches of the athletes found to have doped, be removed from their office. FIS declined to pass further sanctions against the RSA.

Six Russian skiers, all in Nordic disciplines have failed drug tests since 2009. Three of those athletes were Olympic medalists.

FIS also sanctioned Polish cross country skier Kornelia Marek, who was found to have used EPO during the Vancouver Olympics.

Marek is suspended from all FIS events until March 16, 2010.

Written by Ed Hula III.