Six Austrian Winter Olympians banned for life

Olympic chiefs banned for life six Austrian Winter Olympians for possession of doping equipment and collaboration. The six include two biathletes and four cross-country skiers from the 2006 Turin Olympics. The penalties came after a raid by Italian police uncovered blood-transfusion equipment at the Games last year.

The Italian report showed very clearly that a great quantity of medical equipment had been seized in this apartment used by athletes. This goes from saline solution, syringes, bags for storing blood and many other things. Handkerchiefs were found with blood stains. And other equipment was found to be blood-stained. This made the IOC come to the conclusion that these athletes committed a violation of the anti-doping rules of the IOC by possessing medical devices and material.

Bach said the bans would have no bearing on the Austrian city of Salzburg's bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Salzburg, together with competitors South Korea's Pyeongchang and Russia's Sochi had earlier given presentations to the IOC.The IOC will vote for the 2014 bid city in Guatemala on July 4.