Evi future uncertain

The 26-year-old German has naturally high levels of haemoglobin present in her blood, and after being found with a haemoglobin level slightly above that permitted by the FIS at the Turin Olympics, was handed a five day ban, preventing her from competing in the 15km pursuit.

"There has to be a solution, otherwise there's no real point for me in continuing," she told German news agency sid. "Psychologically, the situation is very wearing. There were moments when I had no desire to carry on in the sport."

While Sachenbacher-Stehle has never tested positive for doping offences, the FIS have refused to grant her any exception in the testing procedure, and she threat of a further five-day ban for a high red blood cell count is constantly hanging over her.

"The worst thing is that she can't do anything to prove her innocence. That frustrated her," Germany coach Jochen Behle explained.

Sachenbacher-Stehle has said that she is likely to make a decision on her future sometime on the spring, though is initially focussed on the upcoming inaugural Tour de Ski.

"Everyday I want to give it everything I've got," she said. "These extremely demanding conditions with short recovery times actually suit me.

"The Tour will definitely be a big highlight. Thankfully, my family and my team are right behind me. I'm doing it because I enjoy it, and I would really like to continue in the sport for a couple more years."