Walter Mayer

Police have made a drug raid on athletes for the first time in the history of the Olympic games.

Italian authorities late Saturday and early Sunday morning seized materials in a surprise sweep through the living quarters of the Austrian biathlon and cross country teams. While Italian police searched the residences, the International Olympic Committee conducted unannounced, out-of-competition drug tests on at least six Austrian cross-country skiers and four biathletes.

The involvement of Italian police is consistent with the country's anti-doping laws, which treat doping as a criminal offense.

The probe began when the World Anti-Doping Agency discovered blood-doping equipment in Austria connected to Walter Mayer. He was banned by the IOC from the Turin Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Games for suspicion of performing blood transfusions at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. But Mayer remains the head coach of both the Austrian cross country and the biathlon teams.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.