CONI, the Italian National Olympic Committee, received notification from the IOC (the International Olympic Committee) today that Davide Rebellin is no longer considered the 2008 Olympic silver medalist. Rebellin finished second in the men’s road race in Beijing, but tested positive for EPO later that year.
The IOC has asked for the medal to be returned from the Italian rider, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The IOC website still shows him listed as the silver medalist, but this honor will go to Fabian Cancellara. Former fourth place finisher Alexander Kolobnev would receive the bronze medal.
The statement said that the “Olympic Disciplinary Commission, consisting of Thomas Bach (as president), Gerhard Heiberg and Frank Fredericks (members), revoked the medal won by Davide Rebellin in the cycling road race in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.” Rebellin will also lose the accompanying diploma that was given to him as an Olympic medal winner.
The IOC also contacted the UCI (International Cycling Federation) to “change the results in the mentioned event, as the rules allow it and to consider subsequent actions that are in its competency.”