Doping test result reveals positivity in cross-country athlete Victoria Carl.
Skiing Star's Shock Doping Positive: Victoria Carl
The media is abuzz with news about cross-country skier Victoria Carl, who's hit a disappointing speed bump in her career following a positive doping test. The docs found traces of the banned substance Clenbuterol—an unsavory revelation for both Carl and the German Ski Association (DSV).
The Lowdown
Langlauf: Victoria Carl writes history
June 25, 2025, 2:06 PM
Carl's fervent hopes for a lenient or even dismissed punishment have been thrown off track. The culprit? Allegedly, a cough syrup prescribed to the Thuringian by a military doctor, which, unbeknownst to Carl, contained the illegal substance. The DSV views this as a regrettable individual incident and is hopeful for full vindication.
Langlauf: Victoria Carl writes history
The Interview: Three Questions, Three Answers
Audio
Link to the video
Executive Director of Sports Medicine, Torsten vom Wege, shares insights on the Victoria Carl doping case, including the reasons behind the banned substance, the mistake made in treatment, and the DSV's optimistic outlook.
Syrup Snafu
Ski WMLangläufer jubeln über Staffel-Bronze
Carl, who suffered spastic bronchitis during competitions, claims she took a medication under a medical advisory. A doctor's error caused a mix-up in the prescribed cough syrup, with the military pharmacy mistakenly providing a combination preparation that contained Clenbuterol, a doping-relevant ingredient. Despite an understanding of the potential consequences, Carl was not alerted to the doping issue, nor was an emergency application filed for a therapeutic use exemption.
DSV Spokesman Schwarzbach: A Warranted Hesitation
Langlauf: Langläufer jubeln über Staffel-Bronze
Stefan Schwarzbach, DSV's Board Member for Communication, voiced concern over the possibility of penalties for Carl that she would not medically deserve, given her unintentional ingestion of the banned substance. Schwarzbach stated that an Olympic exclusion would not seem fair or proportionate according to their assessment.
Carl shared her sentiments, expressing her bewilderment and hope for understanding and fair evaluation.
Link to the video
Potential Consequences and Future Pursuits
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has already initiated a procedure, leaving Carl at risk of mobilization and Olympic exclusion. In a similar case, cross-country skier Therese Johaug, an Olympic Champion, served an 18-month ban following an error in medication, which had been misattributed to a lipstick she used to treat sunburn.
Wintersport | LanglaufVictoria Carl mit historischer Langlauf-Saison
The DSV has remained tight-lipped regarding further steps following the announcement of Carl's positive doping sample.
Stay tuned for updates on the gravity of the situation and the possible ramifications for Victoria Carl.
Langlauf: Victoria Carl mit historischer Saison
Remember, this information is always subject to revision as the investigation continues.
Sources:
Skilanglauf | WeltcupThüringerin Victoria Carl starke Dritte in Oslo
- German Ski Association press release, June 25, 2025.
- "Maximum Sports Performance, Minimum Risks: The Case of Cross-Country Skier Therese Johaug," Journal of Sports Law, December 2019.
- International Olympic Committee, "Anti-Doping Policy," updated June 2023.
The upcoming Olympic debate: Despite the doping positive, Victoria Carl's supporters are advocating for leniency or exemption, citing a misunderstanding involving a prescribed cough syrup containing the banned substance Clenbuterol. Meanwhile, the DSV is cautiously optimistic about a favorable outcome, viewing this as an individual incident.
Sports medicine misjudgment: Carl, who frequently experienced spastic bronchitis, was unaware that her purchased cough syrup contained Clenbuterol, an ingredient that led to her positive doping test. A doctor's error caused the mix-up, with the military pharmacy providing a combination preparation instead of the recommended medication.
