International Skating Union welcomes Pechstein ruling

The International Skating Union (ISU) has welcomed the decision of the German Federal Court to reject Claudia Pechstein's claim for more than €4million in damages.

Speed skater Pechstein, a five-time Olympic champion, has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the ISU, after receiving a two-year doping ban from the governing body in 2009 over irregular blood results.

The 44-year-old, who missed the 2010 Winter Olympics before returning to competition, has never failed a doping test and insists a hereditary blood condition led to her suspension.

An appeal against her ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was rejected, but a Munich court subsequently ruled that Pechstein, who has contested the independence of CAS, could pursue a lawsuit.

However, in announcing a summary of its decision on Tuesday, the Bundesgerichtshof (German Federal Court) stated Pechstein received a fair hearing and voluntarily accepted the jurisdiction of CAS, meaning she has no right to seek redress from the German courts.

A statement from the ISU read: "The International Skating Union, which is currently gathered in Dubrovnik where the regular ISU 56th Congress is held, has welcomed with satisfaction the decision of the Bundesgerichtshof in the case of the German speed skater Ms. Claudia Pechstein.

"The ISU has always had great confidence in and respect of the Bundesgerichtshof, its competence, wisdom and legal professionalism."

In its own statement, the CAS added: "The GFT [Bundesgerichtshof] has emphasised that the CAS is a "genuine arbitration tribunal" in the sense of German law, and that such sports jurisdiction is necessary for the uniformity in sport.

"At a time when international sport is facing serious challenges, the GFT ruling sets a very significant precedent and emphasises more than ever the need to have the Court of Arbitration for Sport as the world's highest sports tribunal; able to guarantee an efficient procedure and a fair trial to all CAS users, and to provide binding decisions in accordance with the applicable law and regulations."

Pechstein intends to continue her fight, a statement on her website reading: "We will not give up and will now appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court for violation of my fundamental rights."