MILAN, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler will be able to compete in the winter Olympic Games despite failing a doping test, the Italian Ski Federation (FISI) said on Friday.
The Italian Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) maintained its appeal against a provisional suspension following a positive test for the banned substance Letrozole on January 26.
The NADO Court of Appeal recognized the possibility of accidental ingestion or unknowing contamination of the substance.
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“Passler will rejoin her teammates from Monday, February 16, when she will be available to the coaching staff for the subsequent competitions on the Olympic programme,” FISI said in a statement.
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has commissioned the exclusion of the athlete from the team four days before the start of the Games, after NADO said it had tested positive.
Passler appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that her positive test for banned substances was the result of contamination. But earlier this week CAS said it did no jurisdiction about the case and she had to appeal to NADO.
“These were very difficult days,” said 24-year-old Passler, whose best result was 11th in the women’s 4x6km relay at the 2024 IBU World Championships.
“I have always believed in my good faith. I would like to thank everyone who helped me – from the lawyers who followed my case, to the Italian Winter Sports Federation, to my family and friends. Now I can finally concentrate 100% on biathlon again,” she added in the FISI statement.
The women’s relay is scheduled for February 18, while the women’s 12.5 km mass start is scheduled three days later.
