Trial involving blood doping doctor opens in Munich

Mark Schmidt, a German physician who has been accused of giving blood transfusions to athletes across various sports to boost performance, went on trial alongside four other defendants in Munich on Wednesday.

In February 2019, investigators in Seefeld and Erfurt uncovered an international doping network during the Nordic World Ski Championships during a series of simultaneous raids.

Schmidt was the alleged mastermind behind the ring and was accused, along with his four accomplices, of helping athletes to dope for a number of years.

At least 23 athletes from eight nations, mainly cyclists and winter sports athletes, are believed to be involved in the use of the substances.

Schmidt and one of his assistants have already been in pre-trial detention for more than a year-and-a-half.