Norwegian cross-country ski star Therese Johaug has been suspended from competition for two months after failing a doping test after using a cream to treat sunburnt lips, Norway's anti-doping agency said on Wednesday.
The suspension - which also bans Johaug from taking part in training camps - was to be in effect until December 18, pending an investigation and possible sentence into the offence, the agency said in a statement.
Issuing the suspension, the agency concluded that the seven-time world champion had not acted without guilt.
Johaug, 28, has three Olympic medals including relay gold from 2010 and is the reigning World Cup champion. Her suspension means she will miss the new season opening next month.
Last week, the star made a tearful appearance at a televised news conference to say she was "completely devastated" by the test but maintained "I have zero guilt in what has happened."
She used the cream Trofodermin on the instruction of the Norwegian team doctor after taking part in a high-altitude training session in Italy at the end of August, the Norwegian Ski Federation said.
The cream contained the banned substance clostebol.
The anti-doping agency added it had opened a case into Norwegian team doctor Fredrik Bendiksen, who acquired the cream at an Italian pharmacy.
He has said he had "no good explanation" for failing to spot it contained the synthetic androgenic steroid which can enhance physical performance.
