Long-distance star Victoria Carl – who is trained by Swede Per Nilsson – is said to have ingested the substance through cough medicine in connection with the military winter games in March. This is said to have occurred after incorrect prescribing by the staff.
"It's not the athlete's fault at all. She acted in confidence in a specialist and the competent care in an official military competition environment", says the chief physician of the competition in a press release.
Took Olympic Games gold
Victoria Carl is one of the world's best cross-country skiers. She took two medals in the Olympic Games in Beijing 2022: gold in the team sprint and silver in the long relay. Last season, she came second in the overall World Cup.
She explains herself on the website:
"I was sick, I had severe coughing fits, and I took medicine on medical advice. I have reported everything – I was not aware that it contained a prohibited substance. I really hope that the circumstances will be understood and judged fairly.
The association's press chief Stefan Schwarzbach continues to explain:
"We stand for clean sports – but also for justice and responsibility. Victoria Carl is currently facing potential consequences that she is not medically responsible for. A suspension, especially in relation to the Olympic Games, would neither be fair nor proportionate from our point of view."
Does not want to comment
TT has been in contact with Carl's trainer Per Nilsson.
"At present, I have no more comments or information than the official press release", writes Nilsson in an SMS.
Carl now risks a long suspension and will miss the Olympic Games in Italy next year if so.
The Ski Association further expresses in its statement:
"As is usual in these cases, NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) has launched an investigation. The German Ski Association and the German Armed Forces hope together for a complete acquittal. Not least because a short-term suspension would mean a suspension from competing in the Olympic Games 2026. This would thus possibly end her career.
