Italian biathlete Passler provisionally suspended ahead of Olympics for positive test

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:30 AM CST Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

ROME (AP) — Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for doping and was provisionally suspended Monday from competing in her hometown at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

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ROME (AP) — Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for doping and was provisionally suspended Monday from competing in her hometown at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

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This article was published 02/02/2026 (245 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ROME (AP) — Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for doping and was provisionally suspended Monday from competing in her hometown at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Italy’s anti-doping agency said Passler tested positive for letrozole in an out-of-competition sample ahead of the Olympics that open Friday. The sample was taken outside the official Games-time testing program.

Letrozole can be used in the treatment of breast cancer and also control the effects of steroid use.

FILE - Rebecca Passler of Italy competes during the women's Biathlon World Cup 7.5 km sprint competition at the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, file)

The 24-year-old Passler was due to compete in biathlon in Anterselva, starting Sunday with the mixed team relay. She has yet to win a medal at a major championships.

Her uncle, Johann Passler, is an Olympic medalist in biathlon. He took bronzes in the men’s individual and relay events at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games.

The Biathlon Integrity Unit said in a statement the disciplinary case will be managed by the Italian anti-doping agency.