Olympic champion Victoria Carl returns positive test for clenbuterol — federation says she is not at fault

German cross‑country skiing star Victoria Carl, 29, who won Olympic gold in the team sprint at the Beijing Games, has returned a positive doping test. Her sample from late March contained clenbuterol, a substance on the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s prohibited list.

According to a statement from the German Ski Association (DSV), the case should be assessed with nuance because the positive test stemmed from an unfortunate combination of organizational and medical factors. While competing at the Military World Championships, Carl developed bronchitis. A Bundeswehr (German armed forces) physician prescribed and administered a cough medicine which, unbeknownst to Carl, contained clenbuterol.

DSV says a pharmacy mistakenly supplied a combination product instead of the originally ordered cough syrup. The medication package was reportedly prepared by untrained staff, and the treating military doctor, under time pressure, did not notice the doping‑relevant ingredient.

The chief medical officer of the championships stated that Carl acted in reliance on specialist medical care and is not at fault. The DSV also expressed support, saying Carl has always followed the rules, declared everything properly, and in this instance trusted a doctor’s recommendation.

“ We stand for clean sport — but also for fairness and responsibility. Victoria Carl is currently facing potential consequences for which she bears no medical responsibility. A suspension, especially with the Olympics in mind, would not be fair or proportionate,” DSV communications director Stefan Schwarzbach said.

Carl described the situation as extremely stressful: she said she was ill, suffering severe coughing fits, and took the medicine as instructed by the doctor, without knowing it contained a banned substance. She hopes the circumstances will be understood and fairly evaluated.

Germany’s national anti‑doping agency has opened an investigation. Both the ski federation and the Bundeswehr say they hope for an exonerating decision, noting that even a short ban could jeopardize Carl’s participation in next year’s Winter Olympics.