Moscow - The Russian ski federation FLGR has confirmed it has been informed about positive doping tests on Olympic cross-country skiing champions Julija Tchepalova and Yevgeny Dementiev.

The international ski federation FIS informed the Russian federation at the beginning of the week, FLGR president Vladimir Loginov told the Russian newspaper Sport-Express on Wednesday.

Both have tested positive for the blood-booster EPO after failing tests at a World Cup event in Italy in January, the All Sport news agency reported on Tuesday.

Loginov said Tchepalova and Dementiev now planned to retire. A third Russian skier, Nina Rysina, who also tested positive for EPO at a World Cup event in France a few weeks later has asked to for a B sample to be tested.

Tchepalova, 32 won gold medals at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 winter Olympics, while Dementiev, 26 was a pursuit gold medallist in 2006. (dpa)