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Russian embassy requests information on national biathlon team’s case

Among those accused of violating anti-doping rules are 2014 Olympic champion Anton Shipulin, Evgeny Garanichev and Alexander Loginov

Alexander Loginov Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Alexander Loginov

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

VIENNA, December 13. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in Austria has asked Austria’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and Interior Ministry to provide information concerning the Austrian law enforcement agencies’ accusations against Russian biathletes over the alleged doping rule violations at the 2017 world championships, the embassy informed TASS on Thursday.

"We have been in touch with both our team and the Russian Sports Ministry. The embassy’s representative has left for Hochfilzen to provide the necessary assistance on the spot. We asked the Austrian Public Prosecutor’s Office to furnish the official information," the embassy’s spokesman Bulat Haydarov said.

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"We contacted the Austrian Interior Ministry’s top officials. It is premature to make any comments on issue. We are looking into the matter," the diplomat stressed.

Russian TV presenter Dmitry Guberniev earlier said that the police had accused several Russian biathletes and coaches of violating anti-doping rules at the 2017 Biathlon World Championships. Among the athletes accused of violating anti-doping rules are 2014 Olympic champion Anton Shipulin, Evgeny Garanichev and Alexander Loginov. The list also includes biathletes Alexey Volkov, Irina Starykh, former head coach of the Russian national team Alexander Kasperovich, doctors and massage therapists Artyom Kryntsilov, Alexander Selyavkin, Evgeny Shutov and Dmitry Topychkanov.

Guverniev later told Match TV channel that those on the list would have to provide explanations to the police on Thursday.

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