Austrian Olympic skier caught by police during blood transfusion during competition

A shocking video appeared showing an Austrian Olympic cross-country skier apparently trapped in a blood transfusion as the police raided a doping network at the Nordic World Ski Championships.

The revealed video, captured by an Austrian police officer and posted by Norwegian media NRK, appears to show Nordic skier Max Hauke ​​before taking part in a race as police invade the room.

"He was caught with a blood transfusion on his arm," said Dieter Csefan of FPO. "Because of the information provided by the survey, it was clear that this network has been running for years and around the world. Of course, other sports will also be affected. "

Blood transfusions are prohibited in all sports because they allow athletes to increase their oxygen levels in the blood, thus improving their performance and stamina.

The agent who recorded and disclosed the video was removed from his job and is subject to disciplinary action.

HARVARD RUNNER WINS A 3000 METER RACE WITH A SINGLE SHOE, A SKIN ON THE FOOT & # 39; PEEL AWAY & # 39;

The Austrian Federal Police Office said Wednesday's raids were aimed at "a doping network operating around the world" and focused on Seefeld, where the world championships are held. The alleged doping network was centered on a doctor who had previously worked with cyclists in the Tour de France.

Five skiers in total – including Alexei Poltoranin, four-time Olympian, were arrested during the raids. The others arrested were Austria's Dominik Baldauf and Estonian teammates Karel Tammjarv and Andreas Veerpalu.

Hauke ​​- a double Olympian who competed in Sochi and PyeongChang – and Baldauf worked for the Austrian police, according to a recent press release issued by the Austrian Interior Ministry congratulating them on having finished sixth team sprint at the world championships.

"The athletes were caught using unauthorized methods or substances. Unfortunately, it shocks me, two of our athletes are among them. They were arrested, Baldauf and Hauke, "said Markus Gandler, sports director of the federation for cross-country skiing and biathlon, at the APA news agency.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS STARS STUCK IN ELEVATOR FOR 30 MINUTES IN PRACTICE

The doctor at the center of the case is Mark Schmidt, who worked for the Gerolsteiner cycling team at the time when Austrian rider Bernhard Kohl had fallen from third place in the 2008 Tour de France for doping.

Schmidt was arrested Wednesday in Erfurt, Germany, where he practices.

The Austrian authorities have reported working with German counterparts who raided nine properties and arrested two people described as "sports doctor" and "accomplice".

"The criminal group based in Erfurt is highly suspected of having spun blood doping on elite athletes for years to improve their performance in national and international competitions and thus gain an illegal income," he said. the FPO.

SOCCER PHENOM, 13, signs an agreement with NIKE and becomes a professional

Norwegian media NRK reportedly showed the video to British skier Andrew Young, who had been training regularly with the Austrian skier.

"I'm starting to feel nauseated. It's disgusting to watch, "Young said at the exit. "It's not good, it's difficult, there is no place for that in the sport and I did not realize he was doing it."

The World Anti-Doping Agency said it participated in the Austrian investigation, adding that "the raids were part of a larger police operation targeting criminals from several European countries".

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Nor is it the first time that Austrian skiers are suspected of doping. In 2007, six Austrian cross and biathlon athletes were banned from the Olympic Games for life. Italian police broke into their accommodation during the Turin Games in 2006 and discovered banned substances.

Associated Press contributed to this report.