The skiing long-distance racing series Ski Classics has been suffering a doping fine from Ari Luusua for more than two years now.
Finnish skier Ari Luusua has not shortened the doping fine imposed on him by Ski Classics. Luusua gave a doping sample containing the anabolic steroid drostanolone and meldonium, which was often found in the samples of Russian athletes in the last decade, on July 20, 2021.
The Suek disciplinary board of the Finnish Sports Ethics Center sentenced Luusua to a four-year ban from competition, but Luusua appealed the decision to the Sports Legal Protection Board. Luusua lost processing.
The Sports Legal Security Board supported the Suek Disciplinary Board’s view that Luusua had a valid athlete contract with NASK, a member club of the Swedish Ski Association, at the time of testing. Therefore, the anti-doping regulations of the International Ski Federation FIS could also be applied to him.
Luusua had also signed the athlete contract of the skiing marathon competition series Ski Classics. In it, the athlete undertakes to pay a contractual fine of 100,000 euros if he commits a doping violation.
CEO of Ski Classics by David Nilsson according to Luusua has not reduced his fine.
– We haven’t received any repayment from Luusua, unfortunately, Nilsson told Urheilu by phone.
“Send greetings to pay”
According to Nilsson, the case is being processed by lawyers, but so far there is no legal process underway. Ski Classics has sent payment reminders to Luusua, to which the Finnish skier and his support group have not responded.
– I don’t remember the exact number (of contacts). There are several of them. However, we know they have received the reminders, Nilsson said.
Luusua’s doping case is the only one in the history of the Ski Classics series, founded in 2011. According to Nilsson, Ski Classics is ready to discuss the payment schedule and possibly even reduce the amount.
– It would require that Luusua should respond to contacts and open up its ability to pay. I can’t say whether that would change the amount of the fine.
– Pass on the greetings, it will pay, Nilsson said.
No comment
According to Urheilu, Luusua, 36, has been training regularly. His suspension will expire on August 26, 2025.
Urheilu reached Luusua by phone and asked if he plans to return.
– I won’t answer you anything. Write about athletes who are on the surface, Luusua said and did not comment on the question of whether he plans to fulfill his Ski Classics contract fine.
A lawyer who has represented Luusuaa in the Sports Legal Protection Committee and handled several legal processes related to sports Hannu Kalkas he also refused to comment on the contract fine or even whether he is a Luusua lawyer anymore.
– I will not comment in any way, Kalkas said.
Ari Luusua announced in September 2021 that his career would be over. He competed in the World Cup 2011–2019 and finished ninth at best. In the sprint, he won the Finnish championship in 2018. In the 2020–2021 season, he finished eighth in the Ski Classics overall points.
A famous ski coach Pekka Vähäsöyrinki coached Luusua since 2016. He is denied having been aware of his athlete’s activities with substances and methods prohibited in sports.