Ten Austrian athletes were tested for doping following a midnight raid by Italian police Saturday night, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Sunday morning.

IOC Director of Communications Giselle Davies told a press conference that Italian police and anti-doping officials acted on a tip by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that the banned Austrian coach Walter Mayer might stay with Austrian teams.

The police didn't find Mayer or any incriminating evidence in the raid.

The incident began when the WADA discovered blood-doping equipment in Austria that was connected to Mayer, WADA chairman Richard Pound told The Associated Press earlier.

Mayer and Volker Mueller, the German chiropractor who prescribed the blood treatments, were banned from the Turin Games and the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Pound was quoted as saying that anti-doping officers went to Austria to test athletes there and could not find them. Instead, they found blood-doping equipment linked to Mayer and were told hewas with the Austrian team in Italy.

"We were concerned something might be going on in Italy," Poundsaid.

IOC Medical Commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said six cross country skiers and four biathlon athletes were tested.

"They received urine tests, not blood tests, because urine tests are enough to serve the purpose," said Ljungqvist.

The test results will be announced on Monday or in two days time, said the IOC anti-doping chief.

Alfred Eder, an Austrian biathlon coach, said police searched and interviewed athletes for four hours Saturday night.

"We are very angry," he said.

But Ljungqvist said Austrian athletes and staff were cooperative when the tests were conducted.

Austria has protested against the raid and sudden tests and defended a visit as a private spectator by Mayer.

Austrian Committee Secretary General Heinz Jungwirth had complained to IOC President Jacques Rogge Sunday morning.

(Xinhua)