VIENNA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Austria's national anti-doping agency NADA has imposed temporary suspension upon 2002 Olympic cross-country ski champion Christian Hoffmann Thursday for his alleged involvement in blood doping.

    NADA said that Hoffmann has been banned from all competitions with immediate effect until a hearing by the agency's disciplinary committee has taken place.

    NADA did not reveal a date for the hearing, but Hoffmann's attorney Hans-Moritz Pott said it would take place on Jan. 29.

    That would mean that Hoffmann, who won gold in the 30-kilometerrace at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, won't be able to qualify for the Olympics in Vancouver.