Winter Olympics: Another four cross-country skiers, one of whom could become the first Ethiopian competitor in a Winter Olympics, have received five-day suspensions after tests showed they had abnormally high red blood cell counts.
Alen Abramovic (Croatia), Pavel Korosteljev, Nikolai Pankratov (both Russia) and Robel Teklemariam (Ethiopia) have excessive high haemoglobin values, the International Ski Federation (FIS) said.
Yesterday eight cross-country skiers were suspended for five days.
Teklemariam, who carried the Ethiopian flag in last night’s opening ceremony, could still race, though, as the 15km classical is scheduled for next Friday, when his suspension will have ended. But he does miss tomorrow’s 30km pursuit.
"It should be emphasised that this start prohibition is not a sanction but is considered to serve to protect the health of the athlete," FIS said in a statement.
Meanwhile, German biathlete Michael Greis is the first gold medallist of the Turin games after a near-perfect performance in the men's 20-km individual race.
Despite difficult conditions on the shooting range, the 29-year-old missed just one of his 20 targets to finish with a combined time of 54 minutes 23 seconds.
Norwegian five-time Olympic champion Ole Einar Bjorndalen had to settle for silver this time around - crossing the finish line 16 seconds behind Greis after missing twice for two minutes of penalties.
Bjorndalen's 36-year-old team-mate Halvard Hanevold produced a powerful finish to take the bronze - a further 52.9 seconds back, also with two targets missed.