MILANO CORTINA: Italy’s hopes of a strong showing at the 2026 Winter Olympics on home soil were dashed after biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for banned substances just days before the opening ceremony. The country’s National Olympic Committee (CONI) announced that Passler has been excluded from the Italian Olympic team after two banned substances, letrozole and methanol, were found in her doping test.

The 24-year-old Passler was preparing to compete in one of the most prestigious competitions in her home country, having already achieved a good result, placing 11th in the women’s 4x6km relay at the 2024 World Championships. Her exclusion marks the first positive doping test among athletes participating in the Milan-Olympics, promoting Italian authorities and Italian Winter Sports Federation to take swift action and launch an internal investigation.

Officials are considering the possibility of choosing Passler’s replacement, even though she faces long term sanctions that could jeopardise her future playing career. The announcement sparked debate in the winter sports world as teams finalise their Olympic rosters and prepare for one of the world’s most prestigious winter competitions.