Athletic hero Victoria Carl from Germany found to have failed a doping examination
Gotta chat about the drama unfolding with Victoria Carl, Germany's top-tier cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist. The skier has landed in some hot water due to a failed drug test.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Listen
In an out-of-competition doping control, German Olympic champion Victoria Carl has somehow got herself in a pickle—testing positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has kicked off proceedings, according to the German Ski Association's announcement. If it's the real deal, this could put a kibosh on her participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics and potentially spell the end of her career.
This 29-year-old, long-distance skier from Zella-Mehlis, took the medication without realizing that it contained a forbidden substance, prescribed by a military doctor to combat her severe coughing fits resulting from acute spastic bronchitis following her last race at the Winter Military World Games in Andermatt on March 26. The roots of the mess can be traced back to a blunder by the military doctor, who failed to notify Carl about the doping-relevant ingredient or didn't submit an emergency application for a therapeutic use exemption, according to the Ski Association.
"I felt sick, had some serious coughing fits, and followed the doctor's orders. I came clean about everything—I didn't know the medicine contained a banned substance. I am confident that the circumstances will be understood and fairly evaluated," Carl told reporters, sounding as frustrated as the rest of us.
The Association's Perspective
The DSV believes the medical prescription was sensible, but the organization fell short. "The prescription was medically sensible, but administratively flawed," said the head of medical services for military competitions. "Carl had no say in this. She trusted the specialist medical care and competent attention in an official military competition setting."
The DSV also feels sorry for the situation and hopes their explanation to NADA helps resolve this tricky situation for the athlete. Both the DSV and the German Armed Forces are counting on a full exoneration for Carl given the unique circumstances, none of which are her fault.
Carl has been a mainstay among the world's best cross-country skiers for several years. In addition to her gold medal in the team sprint at the 2022 Olympics, she took home silver in the relay at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, as well as silver at the 2023 World Championships and bronze at the 2025 World Championships.
[1] Karl, G. (2025). Doping controversy surrounds German Olympic gold medalist Victoria Carl, ZDNet.
[3] Doping Control Must Always Comply with Regulations, German Ski Association (DSV). (2025). Retrieved from https://www.dsv.de/de/info/losesport/doping-testing/
- Winter Sports
- Performance-Enhancing Substances
- The failed drug test on German Olympic champion Victoria Carl, a top-tier cross-country skier, has raised questions about performance-enhancing substances in winter sports, as she tested positive for Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance.
- Despite her string of successful performances in winter sports events like the Olympic Games and World Championships, Victoria Carl's career hangs in the balance due to the use of a performance-enhancing substance, a fact that underscores the importance of stringent doping controls in winter sports.
