Russian skier Sidko barred from Olympic team after testing positive for EPO

Russian skier Sidko thrown off Olympic team

MOSCOW — Cross-country skier Alena Sidko has been dropped from Russia’s team for the Vancouver Olympics after testing positive for the blood-boosting hormone EPO.

Local media reported Tuesday that Russian sporting authorities detected traces of the substance in a sample taken at a competition last month in Moscow, and the findings were confirmed by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Barcelona.

Russian ski federation officials could not be reached for comment. The International Ski Federation confirmed that Sidko has been temporarily barred from competing, but said it could not comment on the reason.

The 30-year-old Sidko won a bronze medal in the individual sprint competition at the 2006 Turin Olympics.