Russia Faces Action Over Illegal Skeleton Runners

March 11, 2013

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Skeleton's governing body has threatened disciplinary action against 2014 Winter Olympics host Russia after a racer used illegal equipment at the world championships in January.

The FIBT world body explained the issue to member federations Monday in a letter published on the Latvian federation's website.

The letter says "imperfection" was detected on the skeleton Maria Orlova used at the worlds in St. Moritz, Switzerland. She placed 13th.

The Russian's runners underwent "some kind of hardening treatment," and an FIBT authorizing stamp was not official.

The letter says Orlova, who had a third-place finish at a World Cup race, has lost her results this season.

FIBT spokesman Wolfgang Harder said its board aims to agree on further sanctions against Russia in Sochi this week.

(AP)

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