The defendant, identified in Germany only as Mark S, had admitted at the start of the trial in September to help with doping but denied doing it for profit.

Four other suspects accused of helping him with the collection and supply of blood were also found guilty.

Mark S was found guilty on two dozen charges in relation to helping at least 23 athletes from eight countries gain an unfair advantage over several years.

He had said he never put the athletes’ health at risk but did admit to blood doping.

The case is a result of “Operation Bloodletting” under which police raided the Nordic Ski World Championships in Austria in February 2019.

The police arrested athletes just hours before the start of an event, while Mark S. was arrested in Germany.

Prosecutors had said he was behind performance-enhancing blood transfusions mostly for cross-country skiers and cyclists.

They believe he was involved in the practice from at least the end of 2011.