Austria's cross-country skiing team have protested over the midnight drugs raid which ended their chances of success in the men's 4x10km relay - in which they were lapped and finished last.

Ten athletes were tested after the late-night raid on team headquarters by Italian police acting on a tip-off, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Anti-doping officials said they decided to act after learning of the suspected presence of the banned coach Walter Mayer with the Austrian team.

Six cross-country skiers and four biathlon competitors were given urine tests, whose results will be announced within two days. But officials confirmed neither Mayer nor any drugs were found.

Mayer was banned from Turin and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver after the discovery of blood transfusion equipment in his accommodation in Salt Lake City four years ago.

Austrian racer Martin Tauber said: "They absolutely ruined the race, because it was a long night without sleeping.

"I was tested at 1.30am. I was at my place, and they just came in. They checked my luggage and my room in Sestriere. In the end I came home at 4am."

The Austrians criticised the circumstances of the raid, which they claim involved armed officers - and confirmed Mayer's presence at the Games was merely in a spectating capacity.

Austrian cross-country press officer Erich Wagner said: "I was talking to Martin ... he said they were asleep when something like six guys were in their room with guns.

"They spread their legs, put their hands behind their necks and searched their bodies, their bags, everything. As far as I know this has never happened at an Olympic Winter Games."

The IOC said they were acting on information provided to them by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which indicated the possible presence of Mayer in the private accommodation of the Austrian team.

The IOC added in a statement that it was "fulfilling its responsibility to conduct anti-doping controls on athletes who might have been under his [Mayer's] influence."

Host nation Italy stormed to victory in front of a passionate home crowd, beating Germany into silver by 15.7seconds. Sweden took bronze, with defending champions Norway way back in fifth place.