Athletes under suspicion of doping raided during their home-world championship in Seefeld; ÖSV finds themselves in "stunned immobility"
In a shocking turn of events, Estonia's Minister of Culture, Indrek Saar, has called for a full investigation following the doping raid at the ongoing Nordic Ski World Championships. The operation, named "Operation Bloodletting", resulted in 16 house searches and the arrest of nine people, including a German sports doctor, a Kazakh, and two Estonian elite athletes.
Among the arrested athletes are two Austrians, Dominik Baldauf and Max Hauke, who were apprehended by the Federal Criminal Police Office on Wednesday. The sports doctor from Erfurt, suspected to be the mastermind of the doping network, was also arrested.
The suspects are accused of forming a "criminal organization" for the purpose of blood doping. The athletes themselves were not part of this organization but are suspected of having undergone blood doping treatment. A complete doping laboratory including blood reserves and centrifuges was seized in Erfurt, attributed to the sports doctor.
One of the five athletes taken into custody in Seefeld was caught "in the act" with a blood transfusion in his arm. The group in Erfurt is suspected of having been involved in blood doping for years to improve the performance of top athletes in national and international competitions and to generate illegal income.
The doping scandal could have repercussions beyond the sport of cross-country skiing, with other sports likely affected as well. Alois Stadlober, a former World Championship gold medal teammate of one of the arrested skiers, expressed shock and disbelief at the situation. Stadlober's children, Teresa and Luis, are participating in the World Championships and were affected by the events.
Peter Schröcksnadel, the ÖSV President, announced that Gandler will finish the World Championships but will part ways with him after the event. Markus Gandler, the long-serving ÖSV cross-country chief, has been asked to leave his position following the doping scandal.
It's worth noting that Jannik Sinner, a tennis player, was embroiled in a doping scandal last year, leading to him parting ways with his fitness coach. However, Sinner has recently reappointed his coach amid ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is involved in anti-doping investigations, and they have a role in drafting key documents for these investigations. Additionally, there are regulations like the whereabouts rules that athletes must adhere to, which help in monitoring potential doping activities.
Initial interrogations of the suspects have been carried out, and it will be decided within 48 hours whether they will be remanded in custody. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
- The science of anti-doping is crucial in health-and-wellness and the prevention of medical-conditions, especially in sports, where therapies-and-treatments may sometimes be misused.
- General news outlets are reporting on the doping scandal at the Nordic Ski World Championships, which has led to the arrest of several athletes and a sports doctor.
- The investigation into the doping operation named "Operation Bloodletting" is not limited to the sport of cross-country skiing, as other sports may also be affected.
- Crime-and-justice systems are involved in the ongoing probing of the doping scandal, as suspects are subjected to initial interrogations and potential remanding in custody.
