FIS MEDIA INFO: FIS Doping Panel outlines next steps regarding case of Austrian athletes in Torino 2006

Oberhofen, May 29th, 2006 – At its Spring Meeting held in Portoroz (SLO) on Monday 28th May, the FIS Council received a report from the Chairman of the FIS Doping Panel, Justice Patrick Smith (CAN), concerning the request by the IOC Executive Board to consider further action within FIS's competence related to the case of the Austrian Cross-Country Skiing Athletes at the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino 2006.

In a communication to the concerned athletes through the Austrian Ski Association, FIS informed them that it will in principle wait for the developments in the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) before proceeding with subsequent disciplinary process as defined in the FIS Anti-Doping Rules and Procedural Guidelines. However, the FIS Doping Panel intends to review and adjudicate the cases of athletes Roland Diethard, Johannes Eder, Juergen Pinter and Martin Tauber before the start of the 2007/08 season.

In the case of athlete Christian Hoffmann, FIS reviewed the whereabouts information on file for the athlete for the period in question as requested by the IOC Executive Board, and decided that the athlete has not violated the FIS Anti-Doping Rules according to Article 5.5.1 whereabouts requirements or Article 5.5.3 failure to submit whereabouts.

Regarding the decision of the IOC Executive Board dated 24th May 2007 relating to the Austrian Olympic Committee and its officials at the Olympic Winter Games in Torino, the FIS Doping Panel intends to commence proceedings in due course. The Panel plans a thorough investigation of the cases and the opportunity for fair hearings.

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Further resources:

FIS Anti-Doping Rules 2006/2007
http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/fis-anti-doping-rules-2006-2007.pdf

FIS Procedural Guidelines to the FIS Anti-Doping Rules
http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/fis-procedural-guidelines-2006-2007.pdf

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