German skating great Claudia Pechstein ‘optimistic’ about appeal of doping ban

October 15th, 2009 Britain to begin anti-doping effort in DecemberLONDON — The British government will open the country's first anti-doping program in December. UK Anti-Doping will be responsible for enforcing the compliance of sports' governing bodies with the World Anti-Doping Code.

October 15th, 2009 Britain's first dedicated anti-doping body to openLONDON — The British government is set to open the country's first dedicated anti-doping body next month. UK Anti-Doping will be responsible for enforcing the compliance of sports' governing bodies with the World Anti-Doping Code.

August 19th, 2009 Beijing medals not at risk in Germany doping probeLAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC says equestrian medals from the Beijing Olympics will not be affected by an investigation into alleged doping violations by Germany's team. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) commissioned a report into claims that some members of the German team — which topped the equestrian medal table at the games — used banned drugs and medical treatments on their horses.

August 12th, 2009 3 Russian biathletes suspended for doping at WCupMOSCOW — The International Biathlon Union has suspended three Russian biathletes for two years each after finding them guilty of anti-doping rule violations. Albina Akhatova, Yekaterina Iourieva and Dmitri Yaroshenko tested positive for the banned substance rEPO during a World Cup event last December in Ostersund, Sweden.

August 10th, 2009 5 Jamaican athletes cleared of dopingKINGSTON, Jamaica —Five Jamaican athletes were cleared Monday of doping at their national championships two months ago after the country's anti-doping panel failed to determine whether the banned substance was on the prohibited list. The athletes reportedly tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine.

August 3rd, 2009 HAMBURG - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) aims for athletes to name their doctors and physio-therapists at the start of each season in a stronger crackdown against doping. Experts are currently looking into the legal aspects of the plan which is not expected to become reality before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

July 16th, 2009 WADA asks court to ban cyclist Hamilton for lifeLAUSANNE, Switzerland — The World Anti-Doping Agency has asked the sport's highest court to ban U.S. cyclist Tyler Hamilton for life for doping.

July 16th, 2009 CAS sets date for Hansen's Olympic doping appealLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Sport's highest court on Thursday set an October date for Tony Andre Hansen's appeal to keep his Olympic equestrian medal after his horse failed a drug test. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear the Norwegian rider challenge an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) ruling to disqualify him from the Beijing Games, stripping him of the bronze in team jumping.

July 4th, 2009 HAMBURG - The German Olympic Committee (DSOB) Saturday reacted with caution to a doping ban on the nation's most successful Winter Olympian, speed skater Claudia Pechstein. Pechstein, 37, was banned for two years by the ruling body ISU because she had abnormal blood values and abnormal changes of blood values at several tests, most notably at the allround World Championships in February in Norway.

July 3rd, 2009 Armstrong under doping watch at TourPARIS — France's sports minister says Lance Armstrong will be "particularly monitored" in anti-doping checks at the Tour de France this year. Roselyne Bachelot, speaking in an interview on French cable TV on Friday, sent the warning to the seven-time Tour winner who has come out of retirement to race again in cycling's showcase.

July 3rd, 2009 Speedskating's Pechstein gets 2-year doping banLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Olympic speedskating great Claudia Pechstein of Germany was banned for two years because of blood doping Friday and will miss the 2010 Vancouver Games. The International Skating Union said Pechstein's blood profile indicated abnormal changes in a series of tests, in particular after the World Allround Championships in February.

July 3rd, 2009 Armstrong under doping watch at Tour de FrancePARIS — France's sports minister says Lance Armstrong will be "particularly monitored" for doping during the Tour de France. The seven-time Tour winner has come out of retirement to ride in cycling's showcase.

June 24th, 2009 Isabell Werth suspended after horse's doping testBERLIN — Isabell Werth of Germany, a multiple Olympic dressage gold medalist, has been suspended after her horse tested positive for a banned substance. Germany's National Equestrian Federation said Wednesday that Werth's horse, Whisper, tested positive for fluphenazine, a sedative, at an international tournament in Wiesbaden on May 30.

June 19th, 2009 Top court to hear Valverde appeal on doping banLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Sport's highest court says it will hear Alejandro Valverde's appeal to overturn a doping ban that stops the star cyclist from riding in the Tour de France. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Friday it will try to schedule the case as soon as possible.

June 9th, 2009 Sport's high court hears Polish canoeist's appealLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Polish canoeist Adam Seroczynski went to sport's highest court Tuesday trying to overturn his disqualification from the Beijing Olympics for doping. Seroczynski arrived for a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to help present his appeal against a ruling by the International Olympic Committee last December.