Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - The Austrian Olympic Committee confirmed Sunday that cross-country skier Johannes Duerr was kicked out of the Sochi Olympics after failing a doping test.
After finishing eighth in the men's skiathlon on Feb. 9, Duerr flew back to Austria for training and tested positive for an EPO preparation on Feb 16.
Duerr then returned to Sochi and was scheduled to participate in the 50- kilometer mass start on Sunday, but was withdrawn due to the positive test.
"We are shocked by this message," a statement from Austrian Olympic Committee president Karl Stoss read. "The athlete was informed and educated about their rights, his accreditation was removed and the immediate exclusion from the Olympic team was completed. Duerr has already started the journey home."
The 26-year-old Duerr is the fifth athlete to fail a doping test at these Games.
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