Cross-country skier Victoria Carl tested positive for Clenbuterol after taking prescribed medication; the German Ski Association calls for a fair and nuanced review.

German cross-country skier Victoria Carl has tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol in an out-of-competition doping control following the CISM Winter Military World Games in March. The German Ski Association (DSV) has issued a public statement in support of the athlete, calling for a fair, case-specific assessment. The statement emphasizes that Carl acted transparently and without any intent to gain an unfair advantage.

According to the official press release from the DSV, Carl was suffering from acute spastic bronchitis after her last competition and was prescribed Spasmo Mucosolvan, a cough syrup containing Clenbuterol, by a Bundeswehr military doctor. The medication was administered on March 26, and Carl proactively declared it during the doping test.

An internal investigation by the German Armed Forces Medical Service identified a series of procedural errors. A pharmacy mistake led to the delivery of Spasmo Mucosolvan instead of the intended Mucosolvan, which does not contain Clenbuterol. The medication kit was packed by untrained personnel, and no alternative treatment was available on-site in Andermatt. The doctor administered the medication under time pressure but failed to recognize the doping relevance or submit a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

“The prescription was medically understandable but organizationally flawed,” said the chief medical officer of the CISM competitions. “The athlete is not at fault. She relied on trusted medical care within an official military competition setting and was also clearly physically and mentally exhausted, which may have impaired her ability to assess the situation.”

The DSV fully supports Carl, pointing to her consistent compliance with anti-doping rules and transparent behavior.

“We stand for clean sport – but also for fairness and responsibility,” said Stefan Schwarzbach, Head of Communications at the DSV. “Victoria Carl is facing possible consequences for something she was not medically responsible for. A suspension – especially with the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in view – would be unjust and disproportionate.”

In her statement, Carl expressed how distressing the situation has been.

“I was sick, had severe coughing fits, and took the medication on medical advice. I declared everything. I didn’t know it contained a banned substance. I truly hope the circumstances are assessed fairly.”

The DSV and Bundeswehr are both urging Germany’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to conduct a nuanced and individualized evaluation. They stress that even a short suspension could mean exclusion from the 2026 Winter Olympics, potentially ending the athlete’s career. The Bundeswehr has also launched an internal investigation into the case.

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