HELSINKI -- Finnish long-distance runner Kaarlo Maaninka, silver medalist in the 10,000 meters and bronze medalist for the 5,000 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has admitted receiving blood transfusions before competing in the Games, according to a magazine published Tuesday.
Maaninka, 28, was quoted by 'Hymy' magazine as saying, ' I do not remember how many bags of blood was tanked on me .... but apparently a couple of bags.'
The transfusions - 'tanking - ' is believed to improve performances of athletes whose blood value is low.
'My blood value is around 140-150, sometimes 130,' Maaninka was quoted as saying.
'Before the Moscow Games, I trained hard for two and a half months in the mountains and I think my good condition was not due to the blood transfusions.'
The 'tanking,' he was reported as saying, took place at a Finnish hospital.
Athletes undergoing 'tanking,' usually receive a transfer of their own blood in an oxygenated state which alleviates tiring muscles. It is detectable, but is not against the rules which provide for disqualification and suspension only if an athlete takes one of the listed banned drugs.
Maaninka's coach, Jouko Elevaara, was reported by the magazine to have no knowledge of 'tanking.'
Earlier this month, former Finnish champion hurdler Mikko Ala-Leppilampi was quoted by the magazine as having said he used blood transfusions before the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
There were accusations of 'blood doping' against Finland's Lasse Viren, who completed the 5,000 and 10,000 meters gold medal double at the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Olympics, but the runner denied the reports.
