German agency looks at 30 athletes in blood doping probe

Jan 30, 2012, 13:57 GMT

Bonn - Germany's National Anti-Doping Agency NADA is investigating 30 athletes who may have benefited from a banned blood doping method.

NADA said Monday it was looking at 28 cases with the view to beginning sports disciplinary proceedings.

Proceedings against speed skater Judith Hesse and cyclist Jakob Steigmiller have already gone to Germany's chief arbitration body, the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS).

Germany's ARD television has reported that the cases involve athletes' blood which had been treated with UV radiation by Erfurt sports physician Andreas Franke in the eastern German city of Erfurt. The practice is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA.

ARD said Sunday it was believed the cases involved several prominent sportsmen and women including track and field athletes.

Franke has been quoted as saying his methods were permissible as treatment to prevent infections.

NADA board chair Andrea Gotzmann said: 'Of course, we will diligently be investigating every single case for the possible use of prohibited methods, irrespective of whether it concerns an Olympic winner or a junior athlete.'

Prosecutors in Erfurt have been investigating Franke since February 2011 on suspicion of violating laws on the use of medicines.

Franke was contracted for five years until 2011 in Erfurt at one of Germany's high-performance Olympic training centres.

NADA requested permission to look at the prosecution's files and has decided there may be grounds for action on suspicion of anti-doping violations.

'We hope from the new documents to find further evidence allowing us to decide on which athletes we can take further proceedings,' Gotzmann said.