Blood doping trial
October 22, 2009
Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein is appealing against a two-year ban imposed for violating anti-doping rules.
The International Skating Union disciplinary commission suspended Pechstein, 37, on July 1 for suspected “blood doping,” or artificially increasing one's red blood cell count to increase stamina and performance.
She has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, which hears cases related to the disciplinary actions of other sports organizations.
Pechstein tested positive for abnormally high red blood cell levels on several occasions, including during the World Allround Speed Skating Championships in Norway in February.
She denies the doping charges, saying she never tested positive for banned substances, and that the positive results were due to testing mistakes and sample mix-ups.
Sponsors could withdraw
The CAS ruled in September that she would be allowed to train for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver next February pending the appeal.
The outcome of the appeal may have broader consequences on the German Speed Skating Association (DESG), the professional league in Germany. Most sponsors of the association have contracts allowing them to withdraw in the case of a doping scandal.
"Of course the consequences of the decision are floating in the back of our heads," said Gerd Heinze, DESG president. "But I don't see any loss of image for the association in the future."
Author: Andrew Bowen
Editor: Michael Lawton