Disgraced Spanish gold medallist Johann Muehlegg is facing a two-year suspension by the IOC after a second analysis of his failed drugs test has also proved positive. The 31-year-old cross country skier was stripped of his 50km gold after testing positive for the blood-boosting drug darbepoetin (NESP) last week.
Muehlegg claimed three gold medals at the Salt Lake City Games, and the results have cast a shadow over his performances in the 10km and 30km freestyle events, the country's first golds since 1972. The Spanish delegation have argued that NESP was not included on the list of illegal substances.
Juan Antonio Gomez Angulo, Spain's Secretary of Sport, admitted: "The result was not a surprise. In reality, it has not been a counter-analysis but the same analysis that was done on the 21st, as it has been done in the same laboratory, by the same doctor and by the same system."
The German-born star has yet to announce if he will appeal to the IOC's Arbitrary Tribunal of Sport, but he is facing a two-year suspension by the IOC.
Filed by Shane Murray
