Threat of Russian Suspension Lifted; Gold Medalist Retires

Russian Ban Lifted

The International Ski Federation, FIS, passed on suspending Russian skiers from competition due to doping infractions.

Russian skiers were at risk of missing the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia if officials did not improve the country’s anti-doping efforts.

However, the FIS Council determined that adequate progress had been made and will not suspend the national federation.

"The council acknowledged the positive steps taken to address the many problems in a truly meaningful way," FIS said in a statement. "This approach of the Russian Ski Association must be a new beginning and it will monitor progress whilst supporting the ongoing work."

Multiple Russian cross-country skiers were found to have used performance-enhancing drugs in the last two years.

The Council did suspend Italian federation president Giovanni Morzenti after he was convicted of extortion.

A statement said "the Council decided in agreement with Giovanni Morzenti to provisionally suspend him as a Member of the FIS Council until such time as the case is concluded."

Italy will now be unable to vote at FIS Council meetings until the suspension is lifted.

Morzenti claims he is innocent.

Olympic Champion Retires

Two-time Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie announced his retirement from competition on Sunday.

The Ethiopian Gebrselassie, 37, suffered an injury at the New York Marathon and announced his retirement.

He won gold at the 1996 and 2000 Games in the 10000m and a bronze in the marathon in Athens. Additionally, he is the world record holder in the marathon and has four world championships in the 10000m. He declined to compete at the Beijing Olympics due to air pollution in the city.

International athletics chief Lamine Diack praised Gebrselassie calling him a "sporting hero, legend, genius". Diack added "it's virtually impossible to overstate the stature of Haile Gebrselassie as an athletics superstar, and so it was with great sadness that I received the news of Haile's sudden retirement due to injury."

On his website, Gebrselassie said he wants to enter politics in his post-racing career.

WADA Commends USA;Criticism for Brazil, Russia

WADA director general David Howman said the United States role in the fight against doping should be copied throughout the world.

Howman spoke to the Association of National Anti Doping Organizations last week, telling agencies they need to work with law enforcement agencies to help prevent doping.

"You look at USADA and the way they partner up with enforcement agencies" Homan said. "You see they're not scared to do the hard work. They're not scared to look at high-profile athletes who might be caught. These kind of doping issues aren't present only in the United States. It's a global issue."

Neither Brazil nor Russia, host of the 2016 and 2014 Olympics sent delegates to the meeting.

Arne Ljungqvist, the IOC medical commission chairman said their absence was worrying.

"It is a concern in the general fight against doping that such big countries do not have the adequate anti-doping programs in place in the year of 2010. The anti-doping fight has been going on for 40 years so it's a little worrying that big countries like those are still not there."

"If you're serious about developing an effective program, why wouldn't you take advantage of this, when you've got a lot of people here who are more than happy to help you?" said Graeme Steel, the president of ANADO. "It's disappointing. We'd like to help. There's an offer on the table. It doesn't cost us a lot."

Briefs...

...Media reports say NBC Universal and Comcast will start their new structure on November 15. Comcast merged with NBC in late 2009. NBC Olympic and sports chief Dick Ebersol will lead Comcast’s new sports venture with the hopes of challenging ESPN, which is owned by the Disney Company and ABC. NBC has not confirmed the report.

...The gold medal won by Mark Wells on the U.S. men’s hockey team at the 1980 Olympic sold for $310,700. Heritage Auctions, the auctioneer for the medal, had the pre-sale price estimate listed at $100,000. Wells was a member of the "Miracle on Ice" team that defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union in the semifinal matchup.

Written by Ed Hula III.