Kostner's doping ban to end Dec 31

(ANSA) - Lausanne, October 5 - Italian skater Carolina Kostner's ban for helping her ex-boyfriend Alex Schwazer dodge a drugs test has been extended from 16 to 21 months, but it will end on December 31, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled Monday, ratifying a consent agreement between the parties (World Anti-Doping Agency WADA, Italian Olympic Committee CONI and the skater). The 16-month ban was set to run until May 16 but the agreement backdates the starting point to April 1, 2014 because of procedural delays that "were not attributable to the athlete". But in order to obtain this, the 2012 world champion and 2014 Olympic bronze medallist had to admit to lying about the Schwazer case. Kostner was handed the sentence after being found guilty of helping 2008 50km walk Olympic champion Schwazer dodge a surprise doping test in 2012.
    The 28-year-old admitted to lying to WADA inspectors when they visited her home looking for Schwazer, saying that he was not there so he could avoid being tested, Schwazer has been banned from competition until next year after testing positive for the illegal blood-booster EPO just before the London Olympics.
    He intends to return and hopes to take part in next year's Rio Olympics.