Cross-country skiing: Hörmann wants more facts after media report on blood values

DOSB President Alfons Hörmann has called for more facts after the report on conspicuous blood counts in dozens of cross-country skiers:”We need concrete information,”said Hörmann in the spotlight of the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation’s Sport programme.”

“We have a major interest in ensuring that we are informed clearly and unambiguously where anomalies occur – in other teams and, in the worst-case scenario, in our team as well. Then, as in the past, we will uncompromisingly, without exception and in all consistency follow things up,”said Hörmann.

On Sunday, the ARD doping editorial team and the Sunday Times in the research association with SVT and REPUBLIK. CH reported on striking blood values. Approximately one third of all medal winners at the Olympic Games and World Championships since 2001 will be affected.

“If such reporting could lead to the conviction of fraudsters, then’ Welcome’,”said Hörmann:”If it’s just a matter of continuing to stage the issue and making athletes and whole sports disciplines suspected, I think it’s harmful.”

The research network is based on a database transmitted by a whistleblower, which contains around 10,000 blood tests of 2,000 cross-country skiers from the years 2001 to 2010, i. e. until the introduction of biological passports. More than 50 cross-country skiers registered for the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (9. by 25 February) are reported to appear in the said database of abnormal blood values.

A total of 290 cross-country skiers recorded abnormal results, with Russia leading the field with 51 athletes, followed by Germany with 22 athletes.