January 25, 2017 – Six Russian Cross Country athletes Alexander Legkov, Evgeniy Belov, Julia Ivanova, Evgenia Shapovalova, Alexey Petukhov and Maxim Vylegzhanin were provisionally suspended on 22nd December after the findings in the McLaren Report outlined alleged anti-doping rules violations in connection with the Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi (RUS).

The athletes and the Russian National and Cross-Country Ski Associations were duly notified of the disciplinary proceedings and further investigations by the IOC, and the implementation of provisional suspensions by FIS. Following this notification, the athletes appealed the provisional suspension.

The FIS Doping Panel, after having heard Evgeniy Belov and Alexander Legkov, and the FIS, has decided today, 25th January 2017 by majority not to reverse its initial decision, but to uphold the provisional suspensions of Evgeniy Belov and Alexander Legkov until further notice. As a result of the decisions, the above-mentioned athletes may not take part in any competitions or national team activities.

The decisions of the FIS Doping Panel may be appealed exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne (CAS) in accordance with the applicable provisions of CAS. The time to file an appeal to CAS is 21 days.

The other four provisionally suspended athletes Julia Ivanova, Evgenia Shapovalova, Alexey Petukhov and Maxim Vylegzhanin have also filed appeals, which are currently in progress. The decisions will come at a later date.