Suspended Olympic skiers pass new blood tests to resume action; 3rd skier kept out of event
By APWednesday, February 17, 2010
FIS clears blood-test Olympic skiers to compete
WHISTLER, British Columbia — Two skiers have passed blood tests to take part at the Vancouver Olympics after earlier being suspended from competing.
The International Ski Federation said Tuesday it cleared Nordic combined athlete Niyaz Nabeev of Russia and Estonian cross-country skier Kaspar Kokk to resume competition after sidelining them for five days because of too-high hemoglobin levels.
FIS revealed that cross-country skier Benjamin Koons from New Zealand did not start the 15K freestyle event Monday because he was held out of competing through Thursday.
The five-day start prohibitions are designed to protect athletes’ health and are not considered sanctions, FIS said.
The governing body said 351 athletes have been tested at the games.
