December 23, 2016 (Switzerland) – On December 22 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) communicated to FIS that it has opened investigations into alleged anti-doping rule violations in connection with the Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi (RUS) for six Russian cross-country skiing athletes.

As a result of the current circumstances whereby the FIS competition season is in full swing and the competitions and sporting accomplishments of the athletes are being undermined by the shadow of the McLaren Investigation Report, the IOC has empowered FIS to undertake follow-up actions in its own competence with the alleged anti-doping rule violations that took place during the period of the Sochi 2014 Games.

The six athletes against whom the IOC has opened Disciplinary Proceedings are thereby provisionally suspended from 22 December 2016, in accordance with the FIS Anti-Doping Rules, article 7.9. The investigation of the alleged anti-doping rule violations will be carried out by the IOC Disciplinary Commission, which has the results and case management authority for anti-doping at the Olympic Winter Games, whereby the provisional suspensions are imposed by FIS. Both organisations IOC and FIS will cooperate and share information in the investigation of these cases.

The athletes and the Russian National and Cross-Country Ski Associations have been duly notified of the disciplinary proceedings, further investigations and the provisional suspensions. The FIS is not empowered to communicate the names of the athletes before the disciplinary proceedings are concluded in accordance with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, and leaves it to the athletes and the Russian Ski Association to do so.

The Russian Cross-Country Ski Association has communicated to FIS their determination to build its credibility in the cross-country skiing community and commitment to clean sport. As a first step it has returned to FIS the upcoming Cross-Country World Cup Finals, which were scheduled to take place in Tyumen in March 2017. Details of their re-allocation will be communicated by FIS in due course.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper said: “The findings in the McLaren Report have seriously damaged the integrity of sport and we are determined to ensure the necessary measures are undertaken to punish the offences. We will work together with the Russian Ski Association to rehabilitate the Russian cross-country skiing community and we sincerely count on their commitment to clean sport.”