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09. 09. 09. - 15:00

ÖOC lifts ban on disgraced biathlete team members

By Thomas Hochwarter

Sanctions have been lifted against Olympic athletes suspended over a doping scandal.

The Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) lifted sanctions on seven members of the country's biathlon team who were suspended after the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

This decision yesterday (Weds) means that biathlon director Markus Gandler, team doctor Peter Baumgartl, cross-country skiing coach Gerald Heigl, equipment manager Reinhard Neuner and physiotherapists Andreas Eder and Volker Müller, are all free to participate in upcoming Olympic events and will not face any further legal proceedings.

Gandler said: "Yes, this comes a bit late. I asked for such a move immediately after the incidents of Turin. But nevertheless, I am very pleased with the decision. They say all good things come back in life one day – that seems to be true."

Five others members of the Austrian squad had their suspensions lifted last July.

The suspensions had come after Italian investigators confiscated blood-transfusion equipment in a night-time raid at the Austrian team’s accommodation at the 2006 Games. Five athletes were suspended for life from Olympic competition, while investigations against a number of other people are still ongoing.

Only last week, long-standing ÖOC president Leo Wallner announced his retirement from the post after 19 years in the hot seat.

Austrian sports authorities welcomed Wallner’s announcement and said it was a chance for a fresh start.

Wallner’s move came after key ÖOC members were accused of wasting tax-payers’ money in Salzburg’s bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Hundreds of thousands of Euros are thought to have "disappeared" in obscure channels linked with a committee assigned to do loyalty work for the city’s bid.

Wallner’s claim he had not been informed about money flows increased the pressure on OÖC general secretary Heinz Jungwirth who also denied any wrongdoing.

There is speculation that Karl Stoss, general director of Casinos Austria, could succeed Wallner as ÖOC president.

Austrian Times

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