The International Biathlon Union did not suspend Russian biathletes Irina Starykh, Alexander Loginov and Yevgeny Garanichev from the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Austria’s Hochfilzen, a source in the organization told TASS.
Russian TV presenter Dmitry Guberniev said earlier on Thursday that Austrian police have accused several Russian biathletes and coaches of violating anti-doping rules at the 2017 Biathlon World Championships. Among them is 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.
A source in Hochfilzen familiar with the case confirmed to TASS that police had visited the team’s premises. However, none of the biathletes have been detained. Now Garanichev, Loginov, Starykh and Topychakov are in Hochfilzen.
"The IBU did not suspend Starykh, Loginov and Garanichev, they can take part in the World Cup in Hochfilzen," the source said.
The IBU World Cup in the Austrian city is beginning on Thursday with a women sprint.
