He was just as shocked as everyone else. Victoria Carl tested positive for doping, and the Swedish national team coach for Germany, who is also Frida Karlsson’s private coach, admits: “Of course it affects the team. It’s not nice, neither for the team nor for the sport of skiing.”

Per Nilsson and the German national team have found themselves in a difficult situation after their star athlete, Victoria Carl, was given cough medicine during the Military World Championships this winter. The medication was administered by a doctor from the national military team.

The medicine contained the banned substance Clenbuterol, and Carl tested positive in a doping control related to the championship.

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

It’s a story somewhat reminiscent of the Therese Johaug case, when she tested positive after using a lip balm that contained a banned substance. Johaug was suspended for two years. Now, no one knows what will happen to Carl.

The athlete holds the responsibility

Even though the responsible doctor has taken the blame, the athlete is ultimately held accountable.

Coach Per Nilsson is clear that Victoria Carl only followed the doctor’s advice and is innocent in the matter. But if she is convicted, she will likely miss the Olympics in Val di Fiemme next season.

“I’m not her main coach and haven’t been much involved in her daily training. But still, like everyone else, I was shocked. It is, after all, a matter within our organization.”

Per Nilsson now points out that this happened outside of the German national team’s operations. Therefore, there was nothing they could have done differently. Carl, like many of the German athletes, is employed by the military and is thus obliged to participate in several of their competitions.

How does it affect the team?

“It’s too early to say whether the doping case has affected the German team. Of course, she’s a teammate, so there’s nothing positive about this. We held a team meeting where we talked about what happened. But what was said there, I’ll keep internal,” Nilsson said further, according to Expressen.

In addition to coaching the German team, Per Nilsson has also been Frida Karlsson’s private coach for several years, and he wants to continue in that role as long as Frida does.

For now, it remains unclear what will happen with Victoria Carl. The German anti-doping agency is handling the case, but has not yet concluded.

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