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An early scent of scandal in Torino?
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YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSTORINO, Italy (CNN) -- As the Winter Olympics get under way, a row over suspensions and confusion over accusations of doping dominated discussion in Torino. Eight cross-country skiers -- including a gold medalist -- were handed five-day suspensions by the International Skiing Federation (FIS) after blood tests showed they had abnormally high red blood cell counts. At the same time, an Italian health ministry official who is the host nation's representative to the International Olympic Committee's anti-doping panel told Reuters "several athletes" had tested positive for EPO. The IOC dismissed the claim. And adding a sense of potential farce, Austrian ski great Herman Maier said he was asked to meet two "fans" who turned out to be drugs testers. The skiers' bans, effective from Wednesday when the tests were taken, could force those affected to miss part of their events, as the cross-country program begins on Sunday. The FIS named the eight skiers as German Evi Sachenbacher Stehle, Sean Crooks (Canada), Sergey Dalidovich (Belarus), Jean Marc Gaillard (France), Alexsandr Latzukin (Belarus), Natalia Matveeva (Russia), Kikkan Randall (U.S.) and Leif Zimmermann (U.S.). The tests did not prove any wrongdoing had taken place, as there are numerous potential causes for elevated levels of hemoglobin, the red blood cell that increases stamina. One possible explanation is dehydration, but other athletes have used raised blood cell levels -- through such strategies as synthetic hemoglobin or blood transfusions -- as a means of increasing oxygen levels in the blood to achieving better endurance. The FIS was quick to point out the suspensions were meant purely to protect the health of the athletes involved and was not a punishment. "When hemoglobin is too high, there is a risk the blood will be too thick and there could be a clot and obviously that could be a danger," FIS general secretary Sarah Lewis said. IOC president Jacques Rogge was even forced to step in, underlining that the suspensions were not "doping tests." A second test will take place on Monday and another five-day ban would result if that test were also failed. U.S. Ski Team spokesman Tom Kelly said team officials do not believe the two American skiers -- Randall and Zimmermann -- did anything wrong. He said neither would miss their events. "It [the ban] is a health and safety issue, and that's why it's there," he said. German ski federation doctor Ernest Jacob said Sachenbacher Stehle had a naturally higher hemoglobin count and the FIS's decision to impose suspensions had nothing to do with health fears. "We can't accept that athletes are being banned due to slightly higher blood cell counts, using the excuse of health concerns," he told a press conference. Sachenbacher Stehle, who won a gold and silver medal at the Salt Lake City Games four years ago, was "crushed" by the ban, he said. "Athletes prepare for four years for this event and then they have to take part in this kind of lottery," he added. EPO claimWhile the FIS was fending off criticism of its decision, the IOC was forced to quash reports of positive EPO tests. "So far there have been cases of EPO haematocrit in several athletes but it must be confirmed," Giovanni Zotta, the Italian representative to its anti-doping panel for the duration of the Games had been quoted as telling Reuters. He did not give exact numbers or any names of those said to be involved. He said further tests would be required to confirm EPO use. After the IOC rejected the claim as incorrect, Zotta's office issued a statement saying that he had never attempted to link his allegation to the suspension of the skiers. EPO tests take three days, meaning the blood tests given to the FIS on Wednesday could not show positive results on Friday. Italian authorities have been at loggerheads with the IOC over the anti-doping stance taken at the Games. The hosts view doping as a criminal offence, while the IOC wants any instances dealt with by sporting bodies. A deal appeared to have been reached in the days leading up to the opening ceremony, with World Anti-doping Agency head Dick Pound stressing that doping allegations had to be cleared up more quickly that courts would allow. But at the very least, the confusion surrounding Zotta's claims could be seen to show the differences of opinion remain -- and the issue is likely to resurface again. 
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