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IOC's fine inflames dispute in Austria

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-05-25 09:20

VIENNA - The international Olympic Committee (IOC)'s fine of 1 million dollars on Thursday over the Austrian athletes' doping scandal at 2006 Turin Winter Games aroused different reaction from the Austrian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the Austrian ski federation.

AOC's president Leo Wallner showed understanding and support to the fine from IOC, said that due to the various efforts of AOC and Austrian government, the possible expulsion from the next two Olympics was reduced into a considerable fine from the IOC.

He also noted that the Austrian ski federation "violated the Olympic spirit, the basic rules of fairness, the Olympic Charter and the anti-doping regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency", while the IOC, the International Ski Federation and the AOC failed in taking efficient measures.

Wallner stressed that the AOC's board would hold an emergency meeting to discuss about the further sanctions against the ski federation, which might be additional lifelong Olympic bans for the entire support staff of the Austrian cross-country and biathlon teams, and required the ski federation paid the fine.

However, Peter Schroecksnadel, president of the Austrian Ski Federation rejected the demand from IOC and AOC.

He said that the Ski Federation must speak out against "prejudice, defamation and the act of pronouncing people guilty by association."

He called for an independent commission to investigate the events of Turin, adding that until to the end of all the trials and investigations, any financial demands from the AOC would be strongly rejected.

Italian police and doping testers raided the Austrian biathlon and cross-country skiing team headquarters during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games, and found evidence of doping.

The IOC announced to fine the AOC 1 million dollars over the doping affair on Thursday, and required the AOC to refer a report on the results of its ongoing internal until June, 2008.