SEEFELD, Austria — Nine athletes were arrested Wednesday in doping raids in Austria and Germany amid the Nordic skiing world championships.
Austria’s Federal Police Office said the raids targeted “a doping network operating worldwide” and focused on Seefeld, where the championships are taking place. Police said two Austrian athletes were arrested along with one competitor from Kazakhstan and two from Estonia.
One athlete was caught “in the act,” the FPO’s Dieter Csefan said in comments reported by the Austria Press Agency.
“He was picked up with a blood transfusion in his arm,” Csefan said, adding the alleged doping ring was likely involved in other sports, too.