Lallukka denies having used growth hormone

Juha Lallukka

print this

Finnish cross-country skier Juha Lallukka, who is currently under suspicion of a doping violation, denies having used the forbidden human growth hormone.
      Lallukka’s manager Juha Vanhanen said in the Finnish commercial television channel MTV3’s sports newscast Tulosruutu on Tuesday that the growth hormone detected in Lallukka’s A-sample originates from the skier’s own system.
      Helsingin Sanomat was unable to reach either Lallukka or Vanhanen for comment on Tuesday evening.
     
In the Finnish Olympic Committee’s Sochi 2014 Programme a total of EUR 200,000 has been allocated for cross-country skiing for the season 2011-2012.
      Now Lallukka’s computational share has been suspended until more light has been shed on the case.
      On paper, the EUR 200,000 training grant has been divided between nine skiers.
      In reality, however, there have been only eight skiers to enjoy the benefits, for Lallukka has not taken part in any of the organised national team training camps and has not really utilised the services of head coach Magnar Dalen.
      Reportedly, since last spring, Lallukka and Dalen have spoken only once on the telephone.
      Dalen describes the conversation as very short.
     
According to Kari Niemi-Nikkola, the Sports Director of the Finnish Olympic Committee, all the Committee can do is wait.
      “We have been in touch with the Finnish Ski Association and asked for further clarification. We have also approached our cooperation partners and presented our view of what has transpired.”
      Head of Finnish Cross-country Skiing Reijo Alakoski says that he has followed the recent days’ events primarily from the media.
      “I have not been able to reach Lallukka by phone. He seems to be lying low, as we have observed from the television reports”, Alakoski says.
     
Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture, under whose jurisdiction sports matters fall, is waiting to see what is to come.
      “No comment at this stage. I will comment once there is something to comment about”, says Harri Syväsalmi, director of the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Sports Division.
     
On Monday, the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE reported that skier Juha Lallukka, 32, was suspected of having used doping.
      According to YLE, Lallukka’s A-sample had tested positive for forbidden growth hormone. The B-sample was examined on Monday.
      The result of this test should come out in a few days’ time.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  More woes for cross-country skiing: Juha Lallukka suspected of doping violation (15.11.2011)

Helsingin Sanomat