Ethiopia's Robel Teklemariam has been cleared to compete in Turin, after his five-day suspension was lifted by the International Skiing Federation, officials said on Friday.

 

Robel was one of 12 athletes banned for high levels of haemoglobin, but a new blood test has given him the all clear.

 

The 31-year-old Robel, Ethiopia's first ever Winter Olympian, will take part in Friday's 15km, next Wednesday's sprint and the 50km on Saturday, Feb. 25.

 

The International Skiing Federation insisted that the suspensions were to protect the competitors' health and were not doping cases.

 

Robel's family moved to the United States when he was eight after his mother found a job at the United Nations.

 

Robel discovered winter sport when he attended school at Lake Placid, the venue of the 1980 Games.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2006)