Kostner summoned in Schwazer doping case

(ANSA) - Rome, September 15 - Former figure skating world champion Carolina Kostner on Monday was summoned by Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) prosecutors in relation to the doping case of her ex boyfriend - 2008 50km walk Olympic champion Alex Schwazer. CONI said that Carolina Kostner, the 2012 ice skating world champion and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist, will be asked about allegations of complicity in the breach of doping regulations on Friday at 13:00. Schwazer has been banned from competition until January 2016 after testing positive for the illegal blood-booster EPO just before the London Olympics.
    Doping is a criminal offence in Italy and Bolzano prosecutors investigating the case have uncovered an alleged network of people who were allegedly complicit in Schwazer's illegal drug use.
    Two doctors and an official from the Italian athletics federation are being probed by the criminal prosecutors, along with Schwazer himself. According to Italian media reports, Kostner confessed to prosecutors that she helped dodge a surprise doping test in July 2012.
    She also reportedly told prosecutors that on occasions Schwazer slept all night in a facemask attached to a mysterious white machine and that she had to use earplugs to block out the noise.
    Prosecutors reportedly suspect that the Schwazer used illegal techniques to alter oxygen intake levels, including prior to his 2008 Olympic victory.
    Schwazer has confessed to doping while maintaining that he was clean when he won the Olympic title in Beijing.