This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Helsinki • The Finnish Ski Association says cross-country skier Tero Simila has tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO.

The agency's executive director, Mika Kulmala, says both "A" and "B" blood samples provided by the 34-year-old Simila were positive.

Similia was not a member of the Finnish team at the Sochi Olympics and has not represented the Nordic country this year. His best international placing was 13th in Nordic combined at a World Cup race in 2005.

Simila says he has no comment on the doping charges and that he will retire from skiing.

In 2001, six Finnish skiers tested positive for banned substances at the world championships in Lahti, Finland, forfeiting four medals, including men's team gold in the 4x10-kilometer relay.