by jbotti » Fri Dec 07, 2018 1:35 pm
Well here's an interesting development. We will have to stay tuned to see what the final decision will be:
Luitz’s Beaver Creek Victory in Jeopardy After Use of Supplemental Oxygen Revealed
Germany’s Stefan Luitz is in danger of forfeiting his giant slalom victory from last week in Beaver Creek, Colorado, after it was revealed that he and other members of the German team took supplemental oxygen between runs of the GS race.
Confusion arose because supplemental oxygen is not banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) as of January 1, 2018, but oxygen tanks are banned at race venues by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The German Ski Federation has admitted to administering oxygen in Beaver Creek, which has an elevation of 0ver 8,000 feet (2,500 meters), but claims they were under the impression that FIS had adopted the WADA rules. WADA rules allow inhaled supplemental oxygen but give ultimate authority to individual sport governing bodies like FIS.
“There was no protest after the Beaver Creek race,” FIS said in a statement on Friday. “The case has been forwarded to WADA, which is investigating. No decision yet. The Germans will be at the start of the giant slalom in Val d’Isère.”
Pending a final ruling from FIS and WADA, the fate of Luitz and his Beaver Creek victory is uncertain.
Balance: Essential in skiing and in life!