March 4, 2007 (Sapporo, Japan) – Russian cross-country skier, Sergey Shiryaev has tested positive for the use of the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO), identified on the WADA Prohibited List 2007 in Class S2. Hormones and related Substances.

The urine sample was submitted at a target out-of competition doping control on February 21, 2007, in Sapporo, Japan, following the analysis of indicators in the athlete’s blood values.

The athlete is provisionally suspended from competition following the receipt of the confirmation B analysis from the WADA accredited laboratory in Tokyo (JPN), where all urine samples from the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been (and are still being) analyzed.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper commented: “Every doping case is disappointing since this means that the athlete is not playing by the fundamental rules of sport which means fair play nor is he heeding the warnings about the severe damage that doping can do to the health. However, this particular case is a testament to the FIS blood testing programme which involves regular monitoring of the athlete’s blood values.”

The case of Sergey Shiryaev will be reviewed and adjudicated by the FIS Doping Panel, chaired by Justice Patrick Smith (CAN) in conjunction with the FIS Council Meeting in May 2007 in Portoroz (SLO).