The biathlete Kaisa Varis has tested positive for the second time within five years. The 32-year-old Finn had been banned already for two years from 2003 to 2005 after it was confirmed in the Nordic Skiing World Cup 2003 in Italy that she was misusing the hormone Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone which serves as a factor of growth for the red corpuscles. Back then she came second with her Finn cross-country skiing relay team. The silver medal has been denied after all.
Two years previously, as well at the Nordic Skiing World Cup, she could achieve the bronze medal for the 15km individual cross-country skiing. This was the highlight of her 7-year cross-country skiing career in which she could celebrate overall nine times on the winner’s podium. After the two-year penalty she was able to qualify for the Finn World Cup squad and was even nominated for the team for the Olympic Winter Games 2006. The Finn National Olympic Committee though would not accept her as a member due to her doping offences. That’s the reason she switched over to biathlon in summer 2006.
During the following February she could achieve her first victory coming in third at the Europe Cup 2007 in the Czech Republic. Just short time later she participated at the sprints in Finland at her first World Cup and came as worst shooter in place 70. But the following season she was able to demonstrate her ability and came on fifth place. Shooting was still not her strength so it was very unsteady. Therefore; she could hardly accumulate points which are assigned according to the points system from the International Skiing Association to the first 30 athletes coming in.
In January this year she achieved her first victory at the Biathlon World Cup in Bavaria. After a few weeks of glory, a previously taken blood sample was tested positive to EPO and was confirmed by Varis requesting B sample. The World Cup victory as well as the accumulated points were revoked. Besides being banned for lifetime by the International Biathlon-Union (IBU). This was confirmed by the IBU- Vice-President Alfons Hörmann after the meeting of the executive committee: “It is the only right decision and a signal that we take charge of things." In the bylaws of the IBU it is stated that a double offence will be avenged with a ban.
About the Author:
About the Author:
Emeli Dean is a high-ranking writer on sports for the sports betting industry.
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Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:46:40 - 100%
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