In a decision dated 2 April 2026, the independent German Sports Arbitration Court (DIS) has suspended German cross-country skier Victoria Carl for 18 months for an anti-doping rule violation (Art. 2.1 and Art. 2.2 of the DSV-ADO). The ban commences on the date of the decision and, taking into account the provisional suspension imposed on the athlete, ends on 25 November 2026.
All of the athlete’s competition results achieved during the period from 26 March 2025 (anti-doping rule violation) to 26 May 2025 (start of the provisional suspension) shall be annulled, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of medals, points and prizes, in accordance with Article 10.10 of the DSV-ADO.
The test conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) on 3 April 2025 detected the substance clenbuterol (Substance Class S1. Anabolic Substances of Prohibited List).
The decision is not final. The athlete, NADA Germany and the two international sports federations, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the International Military Sports Council (CISM), as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In September 2025, NADA Germany issued a sanction notice proposing a two-year ban. Subsequently, NADA Germany and the athlete negotiated a mutually agreed settlement (“case resolution agreement”) of the sports disciplinary proceedings. However, WADA, which must always be involved in such proceedings, stated that it did not consent to the conclusion of such an agreement in this case and that the conduct of disciplinary proceedings under sports law was necessary. At the athlete’s request, NADA Germany subsequently filed an arbitration claim with the independent DIS in December 2025 following these negotiations.