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Biathlon team clinches Olympic gold in Sochi officially.

German biathletes claim 2014 relay Olympic victory despite Russian competitor Ustjugow's doping controversy, settling for silver.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 29 . 4:07 AM

2 min read

Biathlon team secures Olympic gold in Sochi officially announced.

Biathlon team clinches Olympic gold in Sochi officially.

In a historic decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the German biathlon team will be awarded the gold price in the relay event from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This decision comes following the annulment of the Russian team's results due to doping violations, specifically those of Evgeny Ustyugov.

Ustyugov, a Russian biathlete, was a key member of the original gold-winning team. However, his doping ban, upheld by the Swiss Federal Tribunal in 2021, and the subsequent nullification of his results, have led to this significant change. Anomalies were found in Ustyugov's biological passport, further solidifying the IOC's decision.

The German team, consisting of Erik Lesser, Daniel Böhm, Arnd Peiffer, and Simon Schempp, will officially receive their gold medals in a ceremony planned for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Antholz, Italy. The IOC will present the medals following the annulment of the Russian team's results.

Lesser and his teammates have already returned their silver medals from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Peiffer, a member of the winning team, prefers to receive his medal at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, preferably at the biathlon stadium in Antholz.

The IOC's decision to redistribute the medals was not made lightly. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) believes that the teams login manipulated data at the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The IOC is currently in consultation with local organizers and the IBU regarding the ceremony for the redistributed medals.

It is important to note that Ustyugov's doping violations have led to the loss of not only his own medals but also those of his teammates. Ustyugov won gold in the mass start and bronze in the relay at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and two silver medals at the 2011 World Championships. All of these additional medals have been annulled due to his doping violations.

The final of the relay event on February 22, 2014, saw a close race between the German team and the Russian team. Anchor Schempp lost to Anton Shipulin by 3.5 seconds, a narrow margin that could have seen a different outcome had it not been for Ustyugov's doping violations.

Austria took silver in the relay event, and Norway took bronze. The IOC's decision to redistribute the medals ensures a fair and just outcome for all teams involved. The exact ceremony and date for the redistribution of the medals have yet to be announced by the IOC.