Schumann and Breuer in doping probe, federation says

BERLIN, Nov 20 (Reuters) Nils Schumann, the Olympic 800m champion in 2000, and former European 400m champion Grit Breuer are facing questioning by the German Athletics Federation (DLV) over suspected violation of doping rules.

The DLV said in a statement tday it had started proceedings against the two athletes for unspecified infractions. The DLV has demanded they provide written statements.

The investigations stemmed from evidence that surfaced in the case against coach Thomas Springstein, the DLV said.

Springstein, who has in the past coached both athletes, was given a 16-month suspended sentence in March this year after he was found guilty of giving banned drugs to an under-age athlete.

Breuer, the former partner of Springstein, was banned for three years from 1992 to 1995 for taking the stimulant Clenbuterol.

In 2004 she was accused of skipping a drugs test in South Africa but later cleared.

She won the European 400m title in 1990 and 1998 and helped Germany to win the 4x400m gold at the world championships in Athens in 1997. She retired at the end of 2004.

Schumann, 28, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

He severed his ties with Springstein when the coach's connection to drugs was revealed.

REUTERS DH KP2014