Summary

The cross-country skiing events at the 2002 Winter Olympics were marred by drug problems. The winners of three races were disqualified after blood tests showed that three skiers had overly high red blood cell counts indicating the use of darbepoetin, a drug used to treat anemia. At the time, the drug was not specifically listed in the IOC's list of banned substances, but the Olympic rules generally prohibit doping of any kind, in accordance with its charter. After two years and several lawsuits in Olympic and Swiss courts, the skiers in question (Johann Mühlegg of Spain, and Larissa Lazutina and Olga Danilova of Russia) were stripped of all their medals from the 2002 Games. Cross-country skiing (also known as XC skiing) is a winter sport popular in many countries with large snowfields, primarily Northern Europe and Canada. ... The XIX Olympic Winter Games were held in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. ... Darbepoetin alfa is a drug, a synthetic hormone, that increases red blood cell levels, and is used to treat anemia and related conditions. ... This article discusses the medical condition. ... The International Olympic Committee is an organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 to reinstate the Ancient Olympic Games held in Greece, and organise this sports event every four years. ... Doping drugs on display at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland In sports, doping refers to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, particularly those that are forbidden by the organizations that regulate competitions. ... Johann Mühlegg is a German-born top level cross-country skier who has competed in several international competitions representing Spain after becoming a Spanish citizen in 1999. ... Larisa Lazutina was an athlete that competed for Russia during several Winter Olympic Games. ... Olga Danilova (born June 10, 1970) is an athlete who competes in nordic skiing events for Russia. ...

See the external links below for the official IOC press releases containing detailed information of the doping cases and their resolution, including initial, intermediate, and final amended results. This article gives the final medalists as decided on by the IOC in early 2004.

Men's 10 km Freestyle Pursuit

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Thomas Alsgaard (NOR)	49:48.9
Gold	Frode Estil (NOR)	49:48.9
Bronze	Per Elofsson (SWE)	49:52.9

Johann Mühlegg won his second gold of the Games, dominating both parts of the pursuit race. Alsgaard and Estil tied for the silver medal. However, Mühlegg was disqualified by the IOC in February 2004, and so the Norwegians got the gold and Elofsson the bronze. Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Thomas Alsgaard (born January 10, 1972 is a Norwegian cross-country skier. ... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Frode Estil (born May 31, 1972 is a Norwegian cross-country skier. ... Large flag of Sweden Image originally derived from the public domain flags of the CIA World Factbook. ...

Men's 15 km Classical

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Andrus Veerpalu (EST)	37:07.4
Silver	Frode Estil (NOR)	37:43.4
Bronze	Jaak Mae (EST)	37:50.8

First Olympic medals at the Winter Games for Estonia. File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic European Union Estonia Foreign relations of Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Finland France Germany Economy... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Frode Estil (born May 31, 1972 is a Norwegian cross-country skier. ... File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic European Union Estonia Foreign relations of Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Finland France Germany Economy...

Men's 50 km Classical

Medals awarded Saturday, February 23

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Mikhail Ivanov (RUS)	2:06:20.8
Silver	Andrus Veerpalu (EST)	2:06:44.5
Bronze	Odd-Björn Hjelmeset (NOR)	2:08:41.5

First-place finisher Mühlegg was disqualified after blood tests indicated the use of darbepoetin. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic European Union Estonia Foreign relations of Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Finland France Germany Economy... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ...

Mens's 30 km Freestyle Mass Start

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Christian Hoffmann (AUT)	1:11:31.0
Silver	Mikhail Botvinov (AUT)	1:11:32.3
Bronze	Kristen Skjeldal (NOR)	1:11:42.7

Johann Mühlegg won his first and Spain's second ever Olympic winter gold, but was disqualified by the IOC in February 2004. This gave a much delayed Austrian double victory, and a bronze for veteran Skjeldal. Fixed size, hues based on World Flag Database. ... Fixed size, hues based on World Flag Database. ... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Kristen Skjeldal (born May 27th, 1967) is an Olympic champion and cross country skier from Norway. ...

Men's 1.5 km Sprint

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Tor Arne Hetland (NOR)	2:56.9
Silver	Peter Schlickenrieder (GER)	2:57.0
Bronze	Cristian Zorzi (ITA)	2:57.2

Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Tor Arne Hetland is a Norwegian Cross Country Skier. ... {{JESUS TOOK THE FLAG}} He stole it and sold it to some asian drug dealers from the atlantic, hmm? File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Berlin Brandenburg Chelsea F.C. European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Fulham F.C. Football World... Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union...

Men's 4 × 10 km Relay

Medal	Team	Time
Gold	Norway (Thomas Alsgaard, Kristen Skjeldal, Frode Estil, Anders Aukland)	1:32:45.5
Silver	Italy (Pietro Piller Cottrer, Cristian Zorzi, Giorgio di Centa, Fabio Maj)	1:32:45.8
Bronze	Germany (Tobias Angerer, Jens Filbrich, Andreas Schlütter, Rene Sommerfeldt)	1:33:34.5

In the third-in-a-row close Italy-Norway finish, the Norwegians beat Italy, like in 1998. Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Thomas Alsgaard (born January 10, 1972 is a Norwegian cross-country skier. ... Kristen Skjeldal (born May 27th, 1967) is an Olympic champion and cross country skier from Norway. ... Frode Estil (born May 31, 1972 is a Norwegian cross-country skier. ... Anders Aukland (born September 12, 1972 in Tønsberg) is a professional Norwegian cross country skier holding both Olympic and World Championship gold medals. ... Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union... {{JESUS TOOK THE FLAG}} He stole it and sold it to some asian drug dealers from the atlantic, hmm? File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Berlin Brandenburg Chelsea F.C. European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Fulham F.C. Football World...

Women's 5 km Freestyle Pursuit

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Beckie Scott (CAN)	25:09.9
Silver	Katerina Neumannová (CZE)	25:10.0
Bronze	Viola Bauer (GER)	25:11.1

Danilova surprisingly beat Lazutina, and Scott won a close finish for the bronze; Canada's first cross-country skiing Olympic medal. After both Russians were later disqualified (in 2004, 2003, respectively) Scott and Canada ended up with their first Olympic gold instead. Image File history File links National Flag of Canada / lUnifolié For more information, see Department of Canadian Heritage and Image_talk:Canada_flag_large. ... Beckie Scott Beckie Scott (born January 8, 1974 in Vegreville, Alberta) is a Canadian athlete. ... General info: Large flag of the Czech Republic Dimensions: 453x302 pixels Source: Image originally derived from the public domain License: Originally public domain, modifications under GFDL Most of the flags have had their colours improved and many have been resized to the proper ratios. ... {{JESUS TOOK THE FLAG}} He stole it and sold it to some asian drug dealers from the atlantic, hmm? File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Berlin Brandenburg Chelsea F.C. European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Fulham F.C. Football World...

Women's 10 km Classical

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Bente Skari (NOR)	28:05.6
Silver	Julija Tchepalova (RUS)	28:09.9
Bronze	Stefania Belmondo (ITA)	28:45.8

Bente Skari came from behind to beat the favourite Russians Danilova and Tchepalova in the last kilometers. Then Danilova was disqualified in the IOC 2004 decision, and so the runners-up advanced one step on the result list. Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Bente Skari (born September 10, 1972 in Oslo) is a former cross country skier from Nittedal, Norway. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union... Stefania Belmondo (born January 13, 1969 in Vinadio, Cuneo) is a former Italian cross-country skier. ...

Women's 30 km Classical

Medals awarded Sunday, February 24

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Gabriella Paruzzi (ITA)	1:30:57.1
Silver	Stefania Belmondo (ITA)	1:31:01.6
Bronze	Bente Skari (NOR)	1:31:36.3

Russian skiers Lazutina, who finished first, and Danilova, who finished eighth, were disqualified after blood tests indicated the use of darbepoetin. Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union... Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union... Stefania Belmondo (born January 13, 1969 in Vinadio, Cuneo) is a former Italian cross-country skier. ... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Bente Skari (born September 10, 1972 in Oslo) is a former cross country skier from Nittedal, Norway. ...

Women's 15 km Freestyle Mass Start

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Stefania Belmondo (ITA)	39:54.4
Silver	Katerina Neumannová (CZE)	40:01.3
Bronze	Julija Tchepalova (RUS)	40:02.7

After breaking a ski pole, the little Italian still managed to win the gold. Lazutina was disqualified in 2003, leading to Neumannova getting the silver and Tchepalova the bronze. Download high resolution version (1200x800, 1 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Austria Arsenal F.C. A.S. Roma A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Economy of the Czech Republic Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. European Union Estonia European Parliament Talk:European Union... Stefania Belmondo (born January 13, 1969 in Vinadio, Cuneo) is a former Italian cross-country skier. ... General info: Large flag of the Czech Republic Dimensions: 453x302 pixels Source: Image originally derived from the public domain License: Originally public domain, modifications under GFDL Most of the flags have had their colours improved and many have been resized to the proper ratios. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Women's 1.5 km Sprint

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Julija Tchepalova (RUS)	3:10.6
Silver	Evi Sachenbacher (GER)	3:12.2
Bronze	Anita Moen (NOR)	3:12.7

File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... {{JESUS TOOK THE FLAG}} He stole it and sold it to some asian drug dealers from the atlantic, hmm? File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Berlin Brandenburg Chelsea F.C. European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Fulham F.C. Football World... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ...

Womens's 4 × 5 km Relay

Medals awarded Thursday, February 21

Medal	Athlete	Time
Gold	Germany (Evi Sachenbacher, Viola Bauer, Manuela Henkel, Claudia Künzel)	49:30.6
Silver	Norway (Bente Skari, Hilde G. Pedersen, Marit Bjørgen, Anita Moen)	49:31.9
Bronze	Switzerland (Andrea Huber, Laurence Rochat, Brigitte Albrecht Loretan, Natascia Leonardi Cortesi)	50:03.6

The Russian team was disqualified and wasn't allowed to start, after Lazutina's blood tests indicated the use of darbepoetin. {{JESUS TOOK THE FLAG}} He stole it and sold it to some asian drug dealers from the atlantic, hmm? File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Berlin Brandenburg Chelsea F.C. European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Fulham F.C. Football World... Flag of Norway, large The Norwegian flag is high red with a white-bordered, dark blue cross. ... Bente Skari (born September 10, 1972 in Oslo) is a former cross country skier from Nittedal, Norway. ... Marit Bjørgen (born March 21, 1980 in Trondheim) is a cross country skier from Midtre Gauldal, Norway. ... Flag of Switzerland Template:Unverfied File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Aargau European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Switzerland Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ski jumping...

External links

• IOC (...) annul(s) the results of (...) Lazutina from the (...) Salt Lake City (...) Games (...) – IOC press release, 29 June 2003
• IOC Executive Board disqualifies Muehlegg and Danilova from the Salt Lake City Games – IOC press release, 28 February 2004