BERLIN - ANDERS Besseberg, president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), confirmed on Thursday three Russian biathletes, banned from the recent World Championships, tested positive for the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO).

'It is a substance from the EPO family which does not come from the new generation known as Cera,' Besseberg declared on German television channel ZDF.

Russia's Ekaterina Iourieva, who was leading the World Cup rankings when she was banned in February, along with compatriots Albina Akhatova and Dmitry Iaroshenko all tested positive.

The trio failed doping tests at the first World Cup meet at the beginning of December in Oestersund, Sweden.

The IBU said the B sample had confirmed the initial results.

Besseberg added there had been no other failed tests this season.

The biathlon World Cup finishes next weekend in Russia. -- AFP