Austrian nordic ski team faces trial in Italy on doping charges
Vienna- Ten athletes and officials of Austria's nordic ski team face trial in Italy for alleged doping at the 2006 winter Olympics in Turin, Austrian news agency APA reported Tuesday.
State prosecutors in Turin have finished their investigation into the scandal, in which Austrian cross-country and biathlon skiers allegedly used blood doping to enhance their performances.
Among the indicted trainers, medics and officials, the most prominent is Peter Schroecksnadel, the powerful president of the Austrian skiing federation OeSV.
Former biathlon skiers Wolfgang Perner and Wolfgang Rottmann, as well as cross-country skiers Martin Tauber, Johannes Eder and Juergen Pinter stand accused.
All five athletes have been banned for life by the International Olympic Committee.
Prosecutor Raffaele Guariniello said the doping by these athletes was not an isolated case, but a well-organized strategy. (dpa)