The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) war against doping
reached new levels when IOC drug busters and Italian police raided
the private quarters of the Austrian biathlon team late
Saturday.
Although the IOC were quick to point out that it was not a joint
operation, the message has sent shock waves throughout the
athletes' community.
Ten athletes - six cross country and four biathlon competitors -
were tested and the results will be known within 48 hours,
announced Arne Ljunqvist, head of the IOC's medical commission on
Sunday.
The Italian police were looking for doping equipment and also
for disgraced Austrian coach Walter Mayer, who has been banned from
the Olympics up to and including Vancouver 2010.
The ban came after Mayer was strongly suspected to have been
involved in blood manipulation at the 2002 Salt Lake City
Games.
No sign of Mayer was found during Saturday's raid, but police
reportedly took away a stash of documents.
Mario Pescante, Italian IOC member and the minister of sport
said yesterday that Mayer had left Italy and returned home to
Austria.
Austrian officials were incensed by the raids.
"We are considering making an official protest about this to the
IOC," said Markus Gandler, the technical director of the Austrian
biathlon and cross-country teams.
"I just do not understand what is going on here. We have nothing
to do with Walter Mayer.
"The police raid lasted about four hours. When you have around
30 policemen suddenly swoop on you, you just feel like a
criminal."
Gandler's denial that his teams were not involved with Mayer was
quickly dismissed by the IOC who produced an official Austrian team
photograph which included Mayer.
"This man is openly defying us," said a clearly angered IOC
president Jacques Rogge.
The police search and IOC out-of-competition drug raid was
sparked by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report that revealed
that Mayer may be helping the Austrian athletes.
"The IOC has acted on information it received in a report given
to it by the WADA which indicates the possible presence of Mr
Walther Mayer in the private accommodation of the Austrian biathlon
and cross country teams," said the IOC in a statement released
early yesterday.
"Given that Mr Mayer has been declared ineligible to participate
in all Olympic Games up to and including Vancouver 2010, based on
his involvement in blood manipulation offences committed in Salt
Lake City 2002, the IOC is fulfilling its responsibility to conduct
anti-doping controls on athletes who might have been under his
influence."
The IOC raised the alarm after Mayer, former cross country ski
coach of the Austrian national team, was spotted in Valle di
Susa.
Ljunqvist said he would be very surprised if the Austrian team
made an official protest.
"We have such evidence that this raid was necessary," he
said.
Ljunqvist admitted that the Austrian athletes were targeted
because of Mayer's involvement, adding that they "invited
suspicion."
Austrian cross-country skier Martin Tauber was furious at the
raid.
"It was a long night without sleeping," he complained. "I was
tested at 01:30. I was at my place, and they just came in."
Tauber, whose team finished last in the 4x10km men's relay
yesterday, added that they "absolutely ruined the race."
Team-mate Juergen Pinter was also upset.
"We were surprised in our room," he said. "Suddenly the police
came in and didn't let us leave on the night before the
competition. It's a very strange procedure of the IOC. It's
unbelievable."
(China Daily February 20, 2006)