Skater banned in doping row

French short-track speed skater Thibaut Fauconnet, who won the 1,000 metres World Cup in season 2010-11, has been banned for 18 months after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

“The athlete ... had a cold when he was tested 48 hours before a World Cup event on December 20, 2010,” the French Ice Sports Federation (FFSG) said before adding the drugs were prescribed by Fauconnet’s doctor. “He has been suspended for 18 months by the ISU’s (International Skating Union) anti-doping commission. The athlete has informed us he wants to appeal against the ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”

Fauconnet, 26, tested positive for tuaminoheptane, a substance found in nasal decongestants. His suspension has been back-dated to start on December 27 last year.

The FFSG did not explain what would happen with the Frenchman’s results from the 2010-11 season.