Russian lugers banned by IOC avoid sanctions from luge body

Published Jan. 2, 2018 7:06 p.m. ET

BERCHTESGADEN, Germany (AP) The Russian luge athletes banned by the International Olympic Committee for doping violations at the Sochi Games are not facing sanctions by the International Luge Federation.

Tatyana Ivanova and Albert Demchenko won silver medals at the 2014 Olympics. They were banned by the IOC in December from future games and ordered to return their Sochi medals as part of the massive fallout from the doping scandal that has overshadowed those games.

But after its disciplinary commission met Tuesday, the luge federation said it is ''unable to ascertain with full conviction'' they were involved in doping.

That decision, however, does not override the IOC's ruling when it comes to the Pyeongchang Games next month - meaning neither is eligible to be credentialed.

Ivanova is still competing and Demchenko is coaching.

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