Recent documents suggest that one of the most surprising World Championship golds in history was achieved through doping.

The gold medal won by Andrus Veerpalu in 2009, when he was 38 years old, was a shock. According to Estonian media, the former ski star is now suspected of blood doping in connection with the gold he secured in the 15-kilometer event during the 2009 World Championships in Liberec.

This comes after new documents emerged indicating that Austrian middle-distance runner Stefan Matschiner allegedly assisted Veerpalu with blood doping shortly before the championships in 2009. The documents reveal that Matschiner has confessed this to Austrian authorities.

Involved in the 2019 scandal

Matschiner is a predecessor of Austrian doping doctor Mark Schmidt, who was convicted in the extensive blood doping scandal following the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld. 

The scandal, known as “Operation Aderlass,” unraveled after a major police confrontation where several cross-country skiers were arrested. Among them was Austrian ski talent Max Hauke, who was caught with a needle in his arm.

Andrus Veerpalu’s son, Andreas, was also arrested in the same raid. Andrus Veerpalu himself was involved in the scandal as a coach. He was later convicted for his role in doping and is currently suspended.

Denies the allegations

Since Matschiner was not actively involved in this scandal, he was not interrogated directly in connection with the investigation. 

However, during the appeal following the initial ruling in the case in 2021, the previous documents surfaced. Andrus Veerpalu was given the opportunity to respond to Matschiner’s claims. He denied knowing Matschiner, asserting that the allegations could not be true. The case is set to be concluded in 2024. 

He has not previously been convicted of blood doping. In 2011, shortly before his retirement, he was caught for growth hormones. The Estonian appealed the ruling, and in 2013, it was overturned by CAS. 

Andrus Veerpalu is Estonia’s most successful cross-country skier, with two Olympic gold medals (2002 and 2006) and one silver (2002), as well as two World Championship golds (2001 and 2009) and one silver (1999). 

Czech Lukas Bauer, by the way, took silver in the 15-kilometer race at the 2009 World Championships in Liberec, while Finnish Matti Heikkinen secured bronze. Veerpalu won his second World Championship gold in the 30-kilometer event at the 2001 Championships in Lahti.

Back in the spotlight

This winter, Andrus Veerpalu re-emerged in international skiing, although he remains suspended by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). 

This time in biathlon. The 54-year-old is now employed as part of the Ukrainian biathlon team, as confirmed by the Ukrainian national team.  

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