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Doping scandal in Russian sports

Russian Embassy in Vienna to examine situation with accusations against Russian biathletes

Russian TV presenter Dmitry Guberniev said earlier that police have accused several Russian biathletes and coaches of violating anti-doping rules at the 2017 Biathlon World Championships

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

VIENNA, December 13. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in Austria has not received any requests in connection to accusations leveled by the Austrian police against Russian biathletes and will examine the situation in detail, Russia's Ambassador Dmitry Lyubinsky told TASS on Thursday.

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"The Russian Embassy in Austria did not receive any official reports or requests regarding this situation. According to currently available information, Austrian law enforcement agencies informed the Russian biathlin team which is currently preparing for upcoming championships in Hochfilzen, about the investigation into several Russian biathletes and other members of the team over events of February 2017, when World Biathlon Championship was held in Austria. We will examine this situation in detail because we need to understand the full picture. We are urgently requesting official information from Austrian law enforcement agencies," Lyubinsky said.

Russian TV presenter Dmitry Guberniev said earlier that police have accused several Russian biathletes and coaches of violating anti-doping rules at the 2017 Biathlon World Championships.

"Several hours ago Austrian police contacted the Russian national team. Here is the list of athletes, coaches, doctors and massage therapists who were accused of violating anti-doping rules during the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen," Guberniev said in a caption to a photo of the list posted on his Instagram account. Among 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 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 will have to provide explanations to the police on Thursday.

At the 2017 World Championships, Alexey Volkov, Maxim Tsvetkov, Anton Babikov and Anton Shipulin won gold in men's 4 x 7.5 km relay. Shipulin, Olga Podchufarova, Tatyana Akimova and Alexander Loginov also won bronze in mixed relay.

The second stage of Biathlon World Championships will be held in Austria's Hochfilzern on December 13-16. Garanichev, Loginov and Starykh will participate as part of the Russian national team. At the previous stage of the championship in Slovenia's Pokljuka, Loginov won two bronze medals - in men's sprint and men's pursuit.

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