France's national team took the lead in the medal count on the third day of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Russia's hopes for its biathletes and lugers were not justified, and a Nordic combined Russian competitor was barred from competing after pre-games tests detected too-high hemoglobin levels.

Sunday was a lucky day for the French, who won two Olympic golds - in the Nordic combined event and a surprise win in men's biathlon 10-kilometer sprint. France is the first country to win two gold medals at the Vancouver Games, where the United States leads the total medal standings with five, followed by Germany with four.

Champions yield to elements

The pre-race favorites in men's biathlon sprint had a disappointing day as sleet made conditions difficult.

Vincent Jay of France secured a gold medal on his Olympic debut. Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway took silver, and Croatia's Jakov Fak took bronze. The three medalists were among the first 10 starters, with the snowfall increasing through the race.

Five-time Olympic champion Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway, however, did not blame the weather at the finish, blaming his own poor performance instead.

Russia's Ivan Tcherezov finished tenth.

The results in the men's luge singles were also disappointing for Russia.

Russia's biggest hope, Albert Demchenko, was fourth, only 0.03 seconds behind Armin Zoeggeler, Italy. Felix Loch of Germany won the gold and fellow German David Moeller took silver.

Martina Sablikova took gold for the Czech Republic in the women's speed skating 3000m on Sunday afternoon, beating Germany's Stephanie Beckert by a little more than two seconds. Canada's Kristina Groves won bronze, the host country's second medal of the 2010 Winter Games.

Russia's Svetlana Vysokova and Galina Likhacheva came 18th and 20th.

The Russia's women hockey team lost its first game, 5:1 to Finland.

Russia's Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov are third after the short program in figure skating, 2.5 points behind the leaders, China's Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo. Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy were second in the short program.

Doping suspicions

High hemoglobin led to Niyaz Nabeev being barred from competitions for five days.

The president of Russia's Federation of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Competitions said the hemoglobin level in Nabeev's blood is usually above the norm and blamed Russian sport officials for failure to notify the organizers of this.

"To be honest, Nabeev's suspension is our fault," Vladimir Slavsky said.

Team medal count at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Country Gold Silver Bronze Overall

1. France 2 0 1 (3)

2. Germany 1 3 0 (4)

3. U.S. 1 2 3 (6)

4. Canada 1 1 1 (3)

5. South Korea 1 1 0 (2)

6. Russia 0 0 1 (1)

MOSCOW, February 15 (RIA Novosti)