March 05, 2019 (Seefeld, Austria) – Stunning images, more arrests, and new information has been released in wake of the five elite athletes and four others that were arrested during doping raids at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Skiing World Championships in Austria last week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7lU7ZjC8d4

Austrian Max Hauke, a veteran of the Sochi and Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, has been identified as the athlete caught by police while performing a blood transfusion. Police found Hauke in his hotel room with a needle in his arm and arrested him shortly after.

A video has been leaked by police of the incident, which has sparked an investigation into the officer responsible for uploading it. They have allegedly been fired and may face criminal charges.

Hauke and Dominik Baldauf were identified as the two Austrian skiers arrested, as were four-time Olympian Alexei Poltoranin of Kazakhstan, and Estonian teammates Karel Tammjärv and Andreas Veerpalu. All five were were provisionally suspended by the International Ski Federation and released from custody. Veerpalu was previously involved in doping allegations but was cleared.

Austrian team coach Trond Nystad has since announced his resignation from his position, allegedly making his decision after watching the leaked footage of Hauke’s blood transfusion, which made him feel so sick that he physically threw up.

The doctor at the center of the case is Mark Schmidt, who was arrested at his medical practice in Erfurt, Germany last week. A reported 40 blood bags were discovered in a neighboring garage which has been linked to his arrest. According to reports in Anti-Doping World Tammjärv said Austrian coach, Mati Alaver, put him in touch with Schmidt which Alaver apparently now admits.

This is not the first time that Schmidt has been linked to doping allegations. As the previous doctor of the Gerolsteiner and Milram cycling teams he was accused by Austrian cyclist, Bernhard Kohl, for assisting him to dope during the 2008 Tour de France.

In the wake of the controversy, Austrian Ski president, Peter Schröcksnadel says that Hauke and Baldauf are finished in Austrian skiing, including Markus Gandler,  the Sports director for cross-country skiing and biathlon reports Anti-Doping World.

In other news, two cyclists have admitted to blood doping in relation to the investigation. Former Aqua Blue rider, Stefan Denifl, has confessed to blood doping after being questioned by Austrian police. A short time later a second confession came from Groupama-FDJ rider, Austrian Georg Preidler.

Both have been provisionally suspended by the UCI and are currently awaiting trial.