In a dramatic and decisive action today, the Austrian Olympic Committee’s Executive Board (EB), under the leadership of AOC President Leo Wallner, met in an emergency meeting and banned 14 officials from the Austrian Ski Federation from participation in all future Olympic Winter and Summer Games. 

After accepting the resignation of Austrian Ski Federation President Peter Schroecksnadel from the AOC Board, the EB responded to the IOC’s mandate for change by excluding 14 coaches, trainers and medical officials from the federation’s Nordic and Cross Country Ski Teams from any future Olympic role.

“The IOC had called for a definitive statement of leadership against doping from the AOC and today Leo Wallner and the Board delivered,” said Mayor Heinz Schaden, the President and Chairman of the Salzburg 2014 bid.  “Until the decisive action of the Board this morning, there were questions in the minds of many about how the IOC’s mandate for change would impact our bid.  Today, the Austrian Olympic Committee has cleared the path for our campaign and eliminated any question about Austria’s anti-doping commitment.”

“Today, all Austrians should be proud of their National Olympic Committee,” he added, “because today, with their decision, Leo Wallner and his colleagues have put the future of sport in Austria back on the track to excellence.”

“We expect a positive report from the IOC Evaluation Committee on June 4th,” Schaden said, “and we will continue, as planned, to work intensively in the last four weeks prior to the decision on July 4th in Guatemala City.”