The Italian police searched the accommodation of the Austrian cross-country and biathlon teams at Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games on the night of 18 February 2006 and discovered a vast array of medical equipment.
The Torino Prosecutor’s Office analysed the seized materials and determined that a significant number of the materials represented prohibited methods. The prohibited substances albumin and hCG were also identified.
Hereafter the IOC has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete in connection with the seizure of evidence from his accommodation which appeared to demonstrate the possession, administration and use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods, or complicity in violations of the IOC Anti-Doping rules.
The Athlete responded to the IOC Disciplinary Commission that he had not participated in the Torino Olympic Games and he was not even in Torino during the period of the Olympic Games. His accreditation was not activated by the Athlete in person at Torino.
On 24 April 2007 the IOC Disciplinary Commission recommends to IOC Executive Board the decision that:
1.) The charges against the Athlete be dismissed; and
2.) The case be transferred to the Fédération Internationale de Ski to consider whether the Athlete’s absence from the Torino Olympic Games constituted a violation of his obligation to provide accurate whereabouts information.
