A German Olympic champion had everything perfectly in place, with two medals in 2022 followed by a steady rise that included World Championship podiums and top-four and top-two World Cup finishes. But that momentum came crashing down after a failed doping test in 2025, prompting the German Ski Association to push for a full acquittal. That demand has now failed, with authorities confirming an 18-month ban for Victoria Carl.

As per the statement the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) released about the German Court of Arbitration for Sport (DIS), it has confirmed that Victoria Carl will serve an eighteen-month ban.

“The Independent German Sports Arbitration Court (DIS) has suspended German cross-country skier Victoria Carl for 18 months by decision of April 2, 2026, for a violation of anti-doping regulations (Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the German Ski Association’s Anti-Doping Regulations),” reads the statement.

“The suspension begins on the date of the decision and ends on November 25, 2026, taking into account the provisional suspension already imposed on the athlete.

“All of the athlete’s competition results achieved between March 26, 2025 (violation of anti-doping regulations) and May 26, 2025 (start of the provisional suspension) are annulled with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, in accordance with Article 10.10 of the German Ski Association’s Anti-Doping Regulations.”

The statement comes after Carl tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in June-July 2025, following an out‑of‑competition doping control linked to the CISM Winter Military World Games held in March of the same year.

The now 30‑year‑old received a provisional suspension after that and missed the 2026 Winter Olympics as a result. But after her positive test, the German Ski Association (DSV) announced that the skier had accidentally ingested the banned substance.

As per the statement the DSV released in July 2025, Victoria Carl had a cough and took the wrong cough medication (the combination drug Spasmo Mucosolvan), which contained clenbuterol.

“I was ill, had severe coughing fits, and took the medication on doctor’s orders. I disclosed everything – I was unaware that it contained a banned substance,” Carl said of the incident, as per Koelsch-radio.de.

However, Victoria Carl’s ruling is not yet legally binding, as she has the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But according to Stefan Schwarzbach’s statement, the DSV believes the verdict is fair and positive.

Stefan Schwarzbach reflects on Victoria Carl’s eighteen-month ban

The DSV sought a full acquittal for Victoria Carl, but neither NADA nor the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) could agree on the length of her suspension. NADA and Carl had reached an “amicable settlement,” but WADA did not accept it. As a result, NADA filed a claim with the “independent Dispute Resolution Institute (DIS) in December 2025.”

That forced the DIS to get involved, and after spending nearly four months on the case, they reached a verdict. And the verdict is “positive,” according to Stefan Schwarzbach, a board member of the German Ski Association (DSV).

“We acknowledge the arbitration ruling and consider it comprehensible and balanced overall. The finding of insignificant culpability and the resulting reduction of the suspension are particularly positive,” Schwarzbach told SID as per Eurosport.de.

“This gives the hope that a return to international competition will be possible for the upcoming winter season. Accordingly, we will continue to closely and responsibly monitor the further course of events and coordinate with the athlete.”

Only time will tell whether Victoria Carl decides to appeal her suspension, but for now, the 30-year-old will be able to return to action in time to compete for the championships in Sweden during the 2026/27 World Championship season.