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The Belgian doping-related investigation of Dr. Chris Mertens has expanded to include a number of professional and recreationalℱ athletes, iꦆncluding cyclists. The matter first came to public attention when cyclo-cross rider Tom Meeusen was stopped by the police for questioning on his way to a race.

Het Laatste Nieuws reported Saturday that the court conducting the investigation intends to question “dozensꦚ” of athletes.  “Last week nineteen athletes were interviewed, including several🐈 cyclists and five pros,” it said.

Meeusen earlier had his camper searched by police and168澳洲5𝓰最新开奖结果: t🥂he team held him out of several races.ไ He was questioned for three hours by federal investigators last month. The 'cross racer, who has de💎nied any dopingꦕ, is said not to be the subject of the investigation but merely a possible witness against Mertens.

Lotto Belisol's Jurgen Van Den Broeck 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:has also said thaꦛt he has visited the doctor, but only for legitimate medical purposes.

The Belgian doctor is under investigation for for the alleged practic✃e of ozone therapy, an undetectable for🐟m of blood doping in which blood is extracted, mixed with ozone and then re-injected.

The Belgian newspaper said that “The court will actually hear any athlete who con💙sulted the doctor since 2007. The investigators are particular💟ly interested in the so-called ozone therapy that the doctor used.

"Strictly speaking, such therapy itself is not doping. But it is very often used in combination with other drugs that are✅ prohibited. This is being examined.”

A court spokeswoman said only that &🍌ldquo;The investigation is not over 🔯yet and there are still several people to be heard.”