FIS MEDIA INFO:  Sapporo 2007 - 3 additional start prohibitions issued due to too high haemoglobin values

Sapporo, 23rd Feb, 2007/ -- On the fourth day of the FIS pre-competition blood testing programme applicable to all Cross-Country and Nordic Combined Athletes prior to their first competition at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, the following 3 athletes have today been issued with a start prohibition for five consecutive days due to too high haemoglobin values:

Start prohibition 23.2. - 27.2.2007
Jaak Mae (EST)
Eugeni Dementiev (RUS)
Nikolai Pankratov (RUS)

These Athletes are in addition to the six Athletes that received a start prohibition on 21st February, 2007:

Start prohibition 21.2. - 25.2.2007
Nordic Combined:
Voronin Konstantin (RUS)
Dmitry Matveev (RUS)
Jochen Strobl (ITA)

Cross-Country:
Alen Abramovic (CRO)
Sergei Dolidovich (BLR)
Reto Burgermeister (SUI)

It should be emphasized that this start prohibition is not a sanction, but is considered to serve to protect the health of the Athlete. Consequently, no disciplinary measures will be taken.
So far, 344 Athletes have been tested.

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