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German skier stripped of Beaver Creek Birds of Prey win for oxygen tank use

The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 file photo, Germany's Stefan Luitz celebrates after the second run of a Men's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, in Beaver Creek, Colo. The International Ski Federation has disqualified Stefan Luitz from his first World Cup win for inhaling from an oxygen tank between giant slalom runs. (AP Photo/Nathan Bilow, File)
AP | FR37383 AP

OBERHOFEN, Switzerland — The International Ski Federation has disqualified Stefan Luitz from his first World Cup win for inhaling from an oxygen tank between giant slalom runs.

The federation says the German racer will lose his prize money of 45,000 Swiss francs ($46,000) and 100 World Cup points for the Dec. 2 victory in Beaver Creek. Luitz will not be banned.

Racing at an altitude of 10,340 feet (3,152 meters), Luitz used the oxygen before retaining his first-run lead over Marcel Hirscher. The Austrian great will be awarded the win.



The International Ski Federation prohibits using supplemental oxygen even though the World Anti-Doping Agency does not.

Skiing’s governing body says its hearing panel’s decision is “not a sanction, but a consequence of the rule violation.”

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Luitz and Germany’s ski federation can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.


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