Doping probe opened against Olympic medalist Graf

VIENNA -- Austria's anti-doping authority said Wednesday it has launched proceedings against former Olympic silver medalist Stephanie Graf, six years after the end of her career.

The probe by the National Anti-Doping Agency comes amid allegations that Graf -- who was the runner-up in the 800 meters at the 2000 Sydney Games -- had blood taken at a controversial Vienna lab at least once for doping purposes.

Graf has admitted that she had blood taken at the Humanplasma lab in 2003 but denies it was ever re-injected, which would have been illegal under international anti-doping rules.

Humanplasma revealed in March that its facility had been used by several coaches to help about 30 athletes with blood doping from 2003 to 2006.

Graf, in comments to public broadcaster ORF, said she didn't care about the probe and stressed she has told the truth. She also suggested some in Austria were out to get her years after the end of her career.

"I won't let myself be influenced by this negative energy," ORF quoted Graf as saying.

Earlier this year, the secretary general of the Austrian Athletics Federation, Helmut Baudis, had called on NADA to investigate Graf.

Graf, 37, also won the 800 at the European indoor championships in 2000 and pocketed three more silver medals at world championships before ending her career shortly before the 2004 Athens Games.