March 14, 2003 – The Finnish Ski Association announced in a press conference today that both the A and B-sample of Kaisa Varis confirm that she has used illegal doping substances to enhance her performance. Varis tested positive for the use of a type of erythropoietin, or EPO. The doping test was performed already on the Sunday before the Val di Fiemme Nordic World Ski Championships commenced, or on February 16th.

Varis was not present at the press conference, but had delivered a statement saying that the test is a false positive. The FSA has now banned Varis from all competitions, pending an official decision from the International Ski Federation. The confirmation of the positive test will mean that the Finnish women's silver medal winning relay team will be stripped of its medals.