Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:31 p.m. / Updated Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:31 p.m.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday rejected the appeal of biathlete Rebecca Passler (24 years old), after she was found positive in an anti-doping test and was provisionally suspended, just before the star of the Winter Olympics in his native country.
The athlete will have to appeal to Italy's anti-doping body (NADO) against the provisional suspension for doping, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport has no jurisdiction over her case.
Biathlete Rebecca Passler's appeal, rejected
Passler tested positive for letrozolefollowing an out-of-competition test before the opening of the Olympic Games, became the first athlete suspended for doping since the teams started arriving for the start of the competition. The athlete was to compete in the biathlon trials in Anterselva, starting on Sunday with the mixed relay.
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The banned substance with which the skier was found, letrozole, can be used in the treatment of breast cancer, but also to control the side effects of steroid use
CAS said her appeal could not be heard and she must submit it to the NADO Appeals Committee by Thursday if she wants to get the ban lifted during the Olympics.
The biathlon trials are being held at the Sudtirol Arena in Anterselva, the very village where Passler grew up, and local fans from the Antholz valley had already started decorating the town in anticipation of her debut.
Passler had arrived at this edition as a promising athlete after winning many medals at the junior level, although without top results at the senior level. This season, her best result was tenth in Oberhof (Germany), and her best performance at a major championship was 11th in the women's 4×6 km relay at the 2024 World Championships.
