Matikainen-Kallström denies doping allegations in National Bureau of Investigation hearing

"I have nothing to hide", says National Coalition Party MP and former Olympic gold medallist

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On Wednesday the long-running saga over allegations of widespread doping in Finnish cross-country skiing took another lurch forwards.
      The National Bureau of Investigation (Finland’s central criminal police) heard MP Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (Nat. Coalition) with regard to the much talked-about claims that the practice was rife, and had been so for years.
According to Matikainen-Kallström, a former Olympic medallist (she won gold in the women's 5km in Calagary in 1988), she is suspected of having passed wrongful information as a plaintiff and of concealing significant information in the so-called "STT libel case" in the late 1990s.
     
The crimes she is suspected of are titled as wrongful disclosure and aggravated fraud.
      Matikainen was part of a group that once sought damages because of the news agency STT’s writings about the use of doping in the Finnish cross-country skiing.
      At the time Matikainen was one of the leaders of the Finnish Ski Association.
      According to Matikainen-Kallström, she denied all the allegations as groundless in the Wednesday hearing.
     
Kari-Pekka Kyrö, the former head coach of the Finnish cross-country skiing team, has publicly claimed that Matikainen-Kallström herself used forbidden performance-enhancing substances during her peak years as a cross-country skier.
      “I repeat what I have said before: I have never used illegal substances, not EPO or anything else. I have nothing to hide”, Matikainen-Kallström told Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday.
      Matikainen-Kallström refrained from revealing to Helsingin Sanomat whether Kyrö’s allegations were discussed during her hearing.
      “Because of the ongoing investigation into the matter I am unable to comment on the content of the meeting”, said Matikainen-Kallström.
     
According to Matikainen-Kallström, the interrogation proceeded in a positive atmosphere with a very good spirit.
      “I am extremely satisfied that I was able to state my view on the matter. It is now up to the NBI to proceed with things.”
     
The NBI has previously announced that there are six suspects in the STT doping case.
      No names have been revealed, however. The NBI’s aim is to complete all the questioning of those involved by the end of June.
      Towards the end of April, the NBI announced that there were only two more suspects still to be heard.
      Kyrö has claimed in public that the core of the doping gang included Jari Piirainen, Pekka Vähäsöyrinki, Antti Leppävuori, and Esa Klinga.
      Furthermore, he has insisted that Paavo M. Petäjä was aware of the use of doping and that Matikainen-Kallström was one of the users.
      Upon the completion of the preliminary investigation the prosecutor will decide if there are grounds for bringing charges.
      If the prosecutor’s view is that charges can only be brought in a case of ordinary fraud but not aggravated fraud, then the possible crime may already have fallen under the statute of limitations.
     
     
Some grasp of what has happened so far in this convoluted story may be had from our earlier articles on the subject. Very briefly, the authorities want to determine once and for all whether perjury took place in a high-profile libel case from 1999 and 2000, in which coaches and skiing administrators sought damages from the Finnish News Agency (STT) over allegations of the persistent use of human growth hormone in training regimens. STT paid out compensation to five persons, with the Court of Appeal reducing the sentences and the sums involved.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  TV channel Nelonen: Finnish Ski Association covered up widespread doping in 1990s (23.4.2008)
  Finns numbed by shocking revelations of Finnish Ski Association (1.3.2001)
  Appeals Court reduces sentences in STT doping libel case (31.10.2000)
  Police will hear Kari-Pekka Kyrö in November (14.10.2008)
  Kyrö: skier Jari Isometsä was promised FIM 1 million to take fall for 2001 doping bust (13.10.2008)
  Former cross-country skiing coach accuses Finnish Ski Association of orchestrating doping (18.6.2008)
  MP Matikainen-Kallström calls for doping accusers to come forward (10.4.2008)
  Kyrö interview casts doubt on 1998 doping libel case (22.5.2008)

See also:
  Kaisa Varis given lifetime ban by International Biathlon Union (12.2.2008)

Links:
  Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (Wikipedia)

Helsingin Sanomat