Muehlegg Tarnishes Reputation with Fall From Grace
Mon Feb 25,11:19 AM ET
By Simon Baskett

MADRID (Reuters) - Spaniards affectionately call him "Juanito" but it increasingly looks like he may now go to back to just plain Johann. Johann Muehlegg, who had one of his three gold medals at the Winter Olympics stripped after testing positive for a new blood-boosting super drug, has rapidly fallen from grace in his adopted country. Inevitably the news of his doping offence sheds a very different light on his remarkable successes since becoming a naturalized Spaniard in November 1999.

Three years ago, after a decade of intermittent success on the international circuit and a series of high-profile squabbles with the German federation, the former double world junior champion decided he would never again compete for his native country. German media reported that Muehlegg had increasingly come under the influence of a Portuguese cleaning lady-turned clairvoyant, Justina Agostinho before his final split with his team. At the 1995 World Championships in Thunder Bay, Canada, he even claimed the German national coach Georg Zipfel had put a curse on his isotonic drinks. Several more squabbles followed before he finally abandoned his homeland, including one in which he famously accused one of his team mates of spiritual persecution in an attempt to undermine his performances. The tall blond-haired Bavarian briefly toyed with the idea of applying for Italian nationality, but his friendship with several members of the Spanish ski team finally persuaded him to opt for Spain instead.

WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS
Germany's loss was Spain's gain as the Mediterranean country welcomed a potential Olympic medal contender with open arms and a fanfare of publicity despite the fact that he excelled in an event that lacked the appeal of the more glamorous Alpine disciplines. After being forced to sit out the 1998-1999 World Cup season, Muehlegg became a naturalized Spaniard in November 1999 and was rapidly christened "Juanito" by the Spanish media.

His decision to ski under the Spanish flag was followed by a remarkable change in fortunes as he won four World Cup races in his debut season in Spanish colors en route to taking the overall crown in the 1999-2000 championship. Last season he finished runner-up in the same competition before winning gold and silver medals in the world championships at Lahti in Finland.

DOPING SCANDAL
Ironically Muehlegg was promoted from bronze to silver in the individual pursuit after the disqualification of Jari Isometsa, one of six Finnish skiers who tested positive for EPO in the biggest doping scandal to hit the sport until that date. "I don't care about the silver," said Muehlegg. "It is bad news for skiing. I am firmly against doping. Apart from the fact that it is cheating and is a danger to your health, it is very bad publicity for the sport."

A week later he went on to produce an awesome individual performance to capture the gold in the gruelling 50-km classical event, capturing the imagination of the Spanish public in the process. "Juanito" became a national hero as he brought unprecedented success in a sport that few Spaniards had ever even heard of.

OWN TRAINING TEAM
After a series of tense negotiations with the Spanish Winter Sports Federation Muehlegg was given permission to create his own individual training team separate from the rest of the national squad in order to prepare for Salt Lake City Games. Earlier this week with two golds in the 30-kn freestyle and the combined pursuit already under his belt the policy had appeared to pay off, Spain had doubled its previous total haul of Winter Olympic golds. Wrapped in the Spanish flag and pledging to give his medals for King Juan Carlos, the smiling German had won a place in the heart of every Spaniard. A third gold in the gruelling 50-km classical event made him the country's most successful ever Olympian, more than anyone could have dared to hope for before the games. It was almost too good to be true.

And it proved to be just that. The news of the skier's positive test came as a body blow to a nation celebrating unprecedented Olympic success. It may also result in Muehlegg making one of the most rapid transformations from hero to villain in the history of Spanish sport.