Schumacher, Rebellin have hearing on Olympic doping charges

Stefan Schumacher and Davide Rebellin had hearings before the International Olympic Committee's Disciplinary Commissions on Monday, concerning their positive doping controls from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Both cyclists tested positive for CERA, a derivative of EPO.

Four other athletes from other disciplines, who also tested positive for CERA during the Olympics, also had their hearings on Monday.

"The IOC Disciplinary Commission gave the athletes and their representatives the opportunity to be heard," the IOC said. "The decision by the IOC will be taken in due course after deliberation."

Thomas Bach of Germany, the chairman of the Commission, told the dpa press agency that "There is not a fixed time plan for decisions." However, the IOCs Executive Committee has its next meeting scheduled for August 13 and 14 in Berlin, and could decide on sanctions at that time.

Schumacher, a German who rode for Team Gerolsteiner, also tested positive twice during the 2008 Tour de France for CERA. He was given a two-year-suspension by the International Cycling Union, which he is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Rebellin was also with Team Gerolsteiner last year and rode for Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni this season before being suspended in April. He had finished second in the men's road race at the Olympics.