BREAKING NEWS: World cross country coaches seek doping crack down

By Published On: November 23rd, 2009Comments Off on BREAKING NEWS: World cross country coaches seek doping crack down

Breaking reports over the weekend, confirmed by Ski Racing today, have told of a special meeting at the site of the FIS World Cup opener in Norway about doping concerns. Coaches from seven nations, including the USA and Canada met to discuss how to catch skiers who are doping, most notably the skiers of the Russian Ski Federation.

The meeting organized by former USA Olympian and now a coach with the U.S. Ski Team, Justin Wadsworth,  who is the husband of Canadian Olympic gold medalist Beckie Scott, stressed an end to patience of the world’s ski teams to deal with ongoing doping problems.

It had been reported that as many as 20 coaches were on hand.Today the Canadian Press is quoting Wadsworth as saying, “Our coaches have been communicating with the head Norwegian coaches, Swiss coaches and we’re trying to rally other countries to have stronger sanctions against the Russians.”

Ski Racing has also learned that each country is planning on contacting FIS Cross Country Committee Chairman, Vegard Ulvang, to put forward their concerns.

Vidar Lofshus, one of Norway’s assistant coaches was also quoted as saying, that the results have caused him to wonder if the FIS is able to move fast enough to control blood boosting.

Four Russian cross-country skiers were banned from the sport for two years last season following testing positive for EPO use.

Three Russian biathletes were given bans for also having used EPO, for this season.

by:   Peter Q. Graves

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