Rebecca Passler, incredible twist for biathlete

The National Court of Appeals of Nado Italia (Nadab) has upheld Rebecca Passler’s appeal against her provisional suspension following a Letrozole positivity found during a checkup last Jan. 26, recognizing fumus boni iuris, or the apparent grounds for unintentional intake or unknowing contamination of the substance in question. The outcome allows the athlete to participate in the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. Passler will join her teammates starting Monday, Feb. 16, the day she will be available to the coaching staff for subsequent competitions in the five-ring program.

Andrea Gussoni

“The Federation welcomes the outcome of the appeal that allows Rebecca to be available to the team again,” comments Flavio Roda, FISI President. The person directly involved also breathes a sigh of relief: “These have been very difficult days,” explains Passler. “I have always believed in my good faith. I thank everyone who helped me, from the lawyers who followed my situation, to the Italian Winter Sports Federation, to my family and friends. Now I can finally go back to focusing 100% on biathlon.”

No second medals meanwhile (for now) for Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi, who failed to make the podium in the individual race at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. Triumphing was France’s Julia Simon, who finished in 41’15″6 in the race, ahead of compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot and 22-year-old Bulgarian Lora Hristova. Fourth position for Germany’s Vanessa Voigt, then our Dorothea Wierer, who made a mistake in the second shooting session.

“I am happy with my performance, you know that biathlon is a tough sport with a lot of girls who can get on the podium and also today there were some surprises – said l’Azzurra after her race -. You have to be realistic, for me it was not an easy day on skis, especially in the second part of the race, I was not in top condition on this day. For us women once a month is like that, but I know that already from the next days it will be better. A mistake can happen, although it was feasible to make four zeros today”.

“Maybe I was in too much of a hurry: I struggled but it was good, there was a lot of cheering, even from the coaches of the other national teams. I’m happy with Hristova and Bulgaria’s bronze: that’s the beauty of biathlon that even nations with fewer numbers can get on the podium. At the moment France is the strongest nation and they are proving it. An Olympic fifth place at my age is not to be thrown away: it could have been much worse, I am happy. Today I knew it was going to be tough, given my day, I wanted to focus on shooting”.