VANCOUVER, British Columbia — An Estonian cross-country skier and a Russian Nordic combined competitor have been prohibited from competing for five days at the Vancouver Olympics after pre-games tests detected too-high hemoglobin levels.

The international ski federation says in Sunday's statement that Russia's Niyaz Nabeev and Estonia's Kaspar Kokk are prevented from competition from Feb. 12-16.

FIS tested 304 athletes across four days leading into competition.

The suspensions are designed to protect the health of the athletes, the federation says, and are not considered sanctions.

Nabeev and Kokk can return to competition beginning Wednesday, subject to further blood testing.