The expert debate is in full swing after Victoria Carl tested positive for a banned substance – and opinions are sharply divided.

On June 25, news broke that German cross-country skiing star Victoria Carl had tested positive for Clenbuterol during the Military World Championships at the end of March 2025. The substance is on WADA’s list of banned substances.

The news shocked the skiing world both in and outside Germany. Now, experts strongly disagree on the possible consequences.

Also Read: Victoria Carl tests positive for Clenbuterol after taking prescribed medication

Total Disagreement Over the Outcome

Carl reportedly ingested the substance by accident through a cough syrup. Since the shock announcement, several doping experts have spoken out about what kind of punishment the 29-year-old might face.

Four years? No ban? Experts are widely divided.

German Professor: She Should Be Acquitted

German doping expert Fritz Sörgel, professor and head of the Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research in Heroldsberg, believes there’s a chance Carl will be believed in her explanation that the ingestion was a mistake.

“I don’t say this often. But as the situation has been described by the German Ski Federation, it sounds credible,” Sörgel told xc-ski.de.

“A certified doctor in the German military would not risk their reputation by deliberately doping an athlete,” he added.

As for Carl’s potential punishment, Sörgel says:

“The Association will not ban an athlete in a case like this.”

Still, he does not expect Carl to be cleared by the German anti-doping agency (NADA):

“The athlete ultimately has full responsibility for what they ingest.”

That means the final decision could lie with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Belief in Reduced Ban

ARD doping expert Hajo Seppelt shares a similar view:

“If it was a misunderstanding as described, it’s very unfortunate. In that case, a reduced punishment should be considered. The big question is: by how much? Whether it’s a few months, two years, or – worst case – four years, which I doubt, is up to the judges,” he said.

Swedish Experts: “Probably Four Years”

Swedish doping experts reacted swiftly. Just a day after the news broke, they had issued their take.

Renowned expert Åke Andren-Sandberg doubts Carl will compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, expecting a lengthy suspension:

“Probably four years. Maybe two. The fact that she didn’t intend to dope is mostly irrelevant – though it might be a mitigating factor. The standard minimum is two years,” he said.

He also referenced Therese Johaug’s 2016 doping case. Johaug received an 18-month suspension, but Andren-Sandberg didn’t elaborate on how Carl’s case might differ.

Key Athlete for Germany and International Cross-Country Skiing

Victoria Carl is one of Germany’s top cross-country skiers of the past decade, essential to the national team and among the world’s elite.

She was considered a gold contender at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim and finished second overall in the World Cup last winter, behind Jessie Diggins. She also won bronze in the relay at the same World Championships.

Carl has one World Cup win and 13 podium finishes and was part of the German team that won Olympic gold in the team sprint at Beijing 2022.

Also Read: Is she the next Johaug?

FACTS: The Victoria Carl Doping Case

According to the German Ski Association, the incident was caused by human error. After the World Cup season ended, Carl competed at the Military World Championships. On March 26, she reportedly took a cough medicine containing Clenbuterol.

The Association explained that a military doctor had given her a combination medicine called Spasmo Mucosolvan, instead of the regular Mucosolvan. The doctor failed to inform Carl that the new medicine contained a banned substance.

This scenario bears similarities to Therese Johaug’s 2016 case, when the Norwegian star tested positive after using a lip cream containing a banned steroid. Johaug was suspended for 18 months and missed the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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