10.02 Lithuanian Biathlete Admits Doping Violations

MOSCOW, February 9 (R-Sport) – A Lithuanian biathlete has admitted doping and offered an apology, the International Biathlon Union said Sunday.

Karolis Zlatkauskas, 28, waived his right to have his "B" sample tested and faces a ban after an out-of-competition test taken on December 19 found blood-booster EPO in his urine.

Zlatkauskas has been a regular on the biathlon World Cup circuit since 2005, although he has only finised one race inside the top 50. He competed at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, but is not competing at this month's Games in Sochi.

“Mr. Zlatkauskas admitted that he made a mistake,” IBU said in a website statement. “He pointed out in a letter to the IBU that with his action he deeply disappointed the IBU, the Lithuanian Biathlon Federation and his team. He closed his comments by offering an apology to the whole biathlon family for his actions.”

Zlatkauskas' provisional suspension for a failed test remains in force until the IBU anti-doping hearing panel convenes to rule on his case.