FIS FACT SHEET: FIS Anti-Doping Program enters the World Championship 2011 winter

Oberhofen, 18th November 2010//- This FIS Fact Sheet is intended to provide an update on FIS Anti-Doping Activities leading up to and during the 2010/11 season. The fight against doping remains an important focus for FIS, through a zero-tolerance policy on doping and cheating in sport. Please also see the attached interview with FIS Anti-Doping Expert Rasmus Damsgaard.

"The FIS World Championships 2011 winter will see the most extensive anti-doping program in winter sports after the Olympic Games," says FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. "Besides systematic testing conducted at the FIS World Championships according to the FIS rules, a thorough in- and out-of-competition testing program will be in place and it goes without saying that FIS will be using the latest testing methods and testing for all known substances."

1. Out-of-Competition Testing Program

Following the practice of the previous season and mandated by the World Anti-Doping Code, no notice, out-of-competition target tests remain the primary focus of testing within the FIS Anti-Doping program 2010/11.

The International Testing Pool of FIS currently consists of 486 athletes in the six FIS Olympic disciplines.

From 1st May to 15th November 2010, FIS has conducted the following number of out-of-competition tests:

Alpine: 29 urine tests, 10 blood tests
Cross-Country: 79 urine tests (incl. EPO analysis), 25 blood tests, 89 blood passport samples
Nordic Combined: 30 urine tests (incl. EPO analysis), 9 blood tests, 34 blood passports samples
Ski Jumping: 5 urine tests
Snowboard: 8 urine tests
Freestyle: 2 urine tests

In addition, during the same time period, WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) has conducted the following number of out-of-competition tests:

Alpine: 5 urine tests
Cross-Country: 34 urine tests (incl. EPO analysis), 18 blood tests
Nordic Combined: 5 urine tests (incl. EPO analysis)
Snowboard: 4 urine tests
Freestyle: 1 urine test

These numbers do not include the out-of-competition tests conducted by the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) under their responsibility.

To view a statistical summary of tests conducted during the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, please refer to http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/statistics-08-09.pdf and http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/number-doping-controls-2009-2010.pdf

2. In-Competition Testing Program

FIS conducts in-competition testing at selected FIS World Cup events. Additionally, in-competition testing is coordinated with many National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and in-competition testing is carried out by NADOS at a number of FIS World Cup events. So far, FIS in-competition testing took place at the following FIS World Cup events this season:

Alpine: Sölden (AUT), 12 urine tests
Ski Jumping: Hinterzarten (GER), 6 urine tests
Nordic Combined: Oberstdorf (GER), 6 urine tests
Snowboard: Landgraaf (NED), 12 urine tests; Saas Fee (SUI), 12 urine tests

3. Recent decisions on doping cases

At its Spring Meeting in Antalya in June 2010, the FIS Council sanctioned the Russian Ski Association following serious concern of the FIS regarding the situation of the Russian Ski Association with the high number of doping cases and lack of adherence to the FIS Anti-Doping Rules.

Prior to the Council Autumn Meeting in Oberhofen on 6th November, the Russian Ski Association submitted a detailed report about the various activities and actions it has undertaken in the meantime and the Council acknowledged the positive steps taken to address the many problems in a truly meaningful way. Support from the highest levels of the Russian governing authorities through important anti-doping measures in sports have paved the way for a significant number of changes have been made including changing team and other officials, an operational anti-doping administration, comprehensive testing programs in- and out-of-competition, as well as anti-doping education for both athletes and officials. The Council underlined that this approach of the Russian Ski Association must signal a new beginning and will monitor its progress whilst supporting the on-going work.

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The overall investment by FIS in its Anti-Doping program during the 2010/2011 season amounts to approximately CHF 1.5 million. This includes both the in- and out-of-competition testing programs and various preventive, informational and educational efforts.

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About FIS
Founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, the International Ski Federation (FIS) aims to promote the sport of skiing and snowboarding and directs the development of all ski and snowboarding activities world-wide. FIS succeeded the International Ski Commission (CIS) that was established during the first International Ski Congress held on 18th February 1910 in Christiania (later Oslo), Norway. 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of international skiing and sees the sport embarking into its second century.

FIS administers the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. With the help of its 110 member nations (one currently suspended), it stages more than 6'000 ski and snowboard competitions annually. FIS also makes recommendations for recreational skiing and snowboarding in the interest of all and promotes play in the snow as a healthy leisure activity for children and the youth. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com.

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