Banned for doping for four years, the skier may now be preparing for a comeback, as the Ski Association confirms recent contact.

The former Finnish national team skier has been suspended for doping since 2021, and rumors suggest that he could be returning to competition.

Ari Luusua was one of Finland’s best World Cup sprinters before moving into long-distance skiing, where he earned several podiums and regularly fought for victories.

On July 20, 2021, Luusua tested positive for drostanolone (masteron) and meldonium — the first an anabolic steroid, the second a heart medication. Both substances are on WADA’s list of prohibited substances.

Also Read: EPO in the fridge

Fined 100,000 euros

Luusua was banned for four years by the Anti-Doping Agency’s disciplinary committee.

He appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that he had ended his active career in July 2021 and was therefore no longer subject to WADA’s regulations. However, Luusua did not publicly announce his retirement until September of that year, in a post on Instagram.

CAS rejected his appeal, upholding the four-year suspension and imposing a fine of 100,000 euros.

Read More: Luusua banned for four years for doping

Comeback delayed

According to sources within the skiing community, Luusua is preparing for a comeback, and the Finnish Ski Association confirms that the 37-year-old has been in contact with them. However, his suspension has been extended by almost half a year.

“The suspension ends on January 3, 2026, which is the first day he can compete and regain his active status in the FIS system,” says Larissa Erola, who is responsible for competition licenses at the Finnish Ski Association.

“The suspension was originally supposed to end on August 26 this year, but because he had notified FIS that he had retired and then changed his mind, the suspension was extended,” Erola explained to Yle.

Same rule that stopped Bjørgen and Northug

The extended suspension is due to the same rule that created challenges for both Marit Bjørgen and Petter Northug when they planned their comebacks in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Both were denied start permission due to missing whereabouts reporting in WADA’s ADAMS system.

Also Read: Russian skier suspected of doping

Keeping his cards close

Luusua, who has largely avoided the public eye in recent years, neither confirmed nor denied the comeback rumors.

“I am, first and foremost, a working family man. I have no comment (about a possible comeback) in either direction. I’ll inform you if there’s anything to say,” he told Yle.

Known to have maintained his training routine, Luusua declined to elaborate further.

“In general, it’s just really nice to move,” he said.

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.