Varis was tested after an event at Oberhof, Germany, on Jan. 6, International Biathlon Union general-secretary Michael Geistlinger said today.

Geistlinger said "prohibited substances" were found in the "A'' sample, and results of the "B'' sample are to be announced Jan. 31. Varis, who has twice been banned for doping, denied any doping in a statement to Finnish broadcaster YLE.

"She is of the opinion that something must be wrong with the 'A' sample," Geistlinger said.

The IBU does not normally make initial test results public. Geistlinger said that since Varis approached the media about the matter, his organization felt "free to confirm what she has said." The Finnish Biathlon Association described the "A'' sample finding as "regrettable."

Varis was twice banned for doping in cross-country skiing and switched to biathlon. She was involved in the 2001 world championship doping scandal in Lahti and was banned again two years later for blood doping.