Speedskater Pechstein barred from World Cup

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected Claudia Pechstein's request to compete in speedskating World Cup races while she awaits a ruling on her appeal of a doping suspension.

The five-time Olympic champion from Germany is appealing a two-year ban for suspected blood doping and cannot race until CAS delivers a verdict this month.

A CAS panel of three arbitrators on Friday refused to change an interim ruling that lets her train but not compete.

CAS said Pechstein did not establish that missing World Cup races that start on Friday in Berlin and next week in Heerenveen, Netherlands, would cause her "irreparable harm."

The ISU banned the 37-year-old Pechstein in July, saying she returned blood samples with abnormal levels last season.

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