2002 Olympic cross-country ski champion Hoffmann suspended for alleged blood doping

‘02 Olympic cross-country champ banned for doping

VIENNA — Austria’s national anti-doping agency has provisionally suspended 2002 Olympic cross-country ski champion Christian Hoffmann for his alleged involvement in blood doping.

NADA said on Thursday that Hoffmann has been banned from all competitions with immediate effect until a hearing by the agency’s disciplinary committee has taken place.

NADA did not reveal a date for the hearing, but Hoffmann’s attorney, Hans-Moritz Pott, said it would take place on Jan. 29.

That would mean that Hoffmann won’t be able to qualify for the Olympics in Vancouver. He won gold in the 30-kilometer race at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.