More Russia skiers banned for Sochi doping

Nov 9, 2017 - 1:46 PM Four more Russian cross-country skiers have been found guilty of doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, including silver medallist Maxim Vylegzhanin.

The Russian Cross-Country Ski Federation said the four have been disqualified by the International Olympic Committee and banned from all future Olympics.

The other three skiers found guilty are Alexei Petukhov, Yulia Ivanova and Evgenia Shapovalova. Vylegzhanin won three silver medals in Sochi, but none of the others won a medal.

Six Russian cross-country skiers have now been found guilty of doping at the Sochi Olympics by an IOC commission. Alexander Legkov, who won gold in the 50km race ahead of Vylegzhanin in a Russian sweep, and Evgeniy Belov were banned last week.

Vylegzhanin also finished second in the team sprint and the 4x10km relay. Russia's relay silver was already stripped last week when Legkov was banned.

The IOC bans leave Russia with only one medal in cross-country skiing: the bronze won by Ilia Chernousov in the 50km. The IOC will decide if he should be upgraded to gold.

Russia remains at the top of the Sochi medal table, but more verdicts are expected which could affect other golds, potentially pushing the Russians below Norway.

Without positive doping tests, the IOC disciplinary panel used evidence of cover-ups and tampering of sample bottles that was first gathered last year by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.

With calls to ban Russia's team from next year's Pyeongchang Olympics likely to increase, the IOC's executive board will meet from December 5 to discuss the matter.

The Russian ski federation said it is preparing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on the four cases announced Thursday. Legkov and Belov have also said they will appeal.

Source: AAP