New doping accusations against Alex Schwazer: they were made by the German national anti-doping agency , which has started proceedings against the Italian race walker, who has been suspended as a precautionary measure.

In Schwazer, during the German road walking championships, traces of Erythropoietin (EPO) were detected «in both urine and blood samples» .

In the statement announcing the positive test, Nada Germania added that she had filed a complaint with the competent prosecutor's office under anti-doping law.

"This morning I received this notification that I tested positive for erythropoietin. I didn't take anything, I'm innocent, but I won't defend myself. At 41, I no longer have the strength," the race walker said at a press conference in Bolzano. "The only thing we'll ask for is a counter-analysis, provided that a urine residue from the same test Sandro brought home is also analyzed. If this isn't accepted," the race walker added, "I'll even forgo the counter-analysis because I have no faith in the system, so I can do without it. I'd also like to briefly spare a thought for all the people who have supported me over all these years, and who are now feeling the pain."

At the end of April, Schwazer set the Italian record for the marathon walk in a race valid for the German championships held on the streets of Kelsterbach, not far from Frankfurt airport.

Gold in the 50 km at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, then suspended for doping (3 years and nine months from 2012 and 8 years from 2016) , last April he won the German race in 3h01'55", a national record over 42 kilometres and 195 metres.

A result that had given him hope of being called up to the Italy squad for the European Race Walking Championships in Birmingham next August, but this never came.

(Unioneonline)

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