Schroecksnadel: 'We want a clean federation'

The head of the Austrian Ski Federation vowed Wednesday to “get to the bottom” of the Torino doping scandal that led to six Austrian athletes being banned from the Olympics for life.
VIENNA, Austria — The head of the Austrian Ski Federation vowed Wednesday to “get to the bottom” of the Torino doping scandal that led to six Austrian athletes being banned from the Olympics for life.
    “We want a clean federation,” Peter Schroecksnadel told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “We will get to the bottom of the matter … we are a properly managed federation.”
    Earlier Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee said it found six Austrian athletes guilty of possessing prohibited substances and taking part in a doping conspiracy at the 2006 Torino Games, based on materials seized by Italian police during a raid on the athletes’ living quarters.
    The IOC identified the banned Austrians as retired biathletes Wolfgang Perner and Wolfgang Rottmann and cross-country skiers Martin Tauber, Juergen Pinter, Johannes Eder and Roland Diethart.
    A seventh athlete, cross-country skier Christian Hoffmann, had his case referred to the International Ski Federation for further investigation.
    Schroecksnadel said the athletes would be called before the federation’s disciplinary committee and asked to provide the documentation that led to the IOC’s decision.
    “If it turns out that there’s something to this, then the disciplinary commission will also punish the athletes,” Schroecksnadel said. “But if it turns out that there isn’t, then the Austrian Ski Federation will defend the athletes.”