THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING MEDIA RELEASE: WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES MILANO CORTINA 2026
“WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES MILANO CORTINA 2026
BIATHLON
THE CAS AD HOC DIVISION HAS NO JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION BY REBECCA PASSLER (ITALY), WHO MAY STILL CHALLENGE HER PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION BEFORE NADO ITALIA
Milan, 11 February 2026 – The CAS Ad hoc Division has ruled that it has no jurisdiction to consider an application by Biathlete Rebecca Passler (Italy) against NADO Italia Antidoping (NADO Italia), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the Italian National Olympic Committee – Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI). The Athlete first submitted an application before CAS rather than before the judicial authorities of NADO Italia and consequently has no procedural right to appeal to the CAS Ad hoc Division. Her provisional suspension can still be appealed to NADO Italia’s National Anti-Doping Appeal Board (NADAB).
Ms Passler was provisionally suspended by NADO Italia on 2 February 2026 following an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the substance Letrozole, which is a prohibited substance on the WADA Prohibited List (S4.1 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators). Filed on 6 February 2026, Ms Passler’s application requested CAS to annul the suspension due to lack of intent and negligence, and to allow her to participate in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (2026 OWG).
A hearing for this procedure took place in Milan on 10 February 2026, which the Athlete attended in person. During the hearing, Ms Passler argued that the AAF is a case of cross-contamination due to unintentional exposure to Letrozole.
NADO Italia argued that the Athlete failed to exhaust NADO’s internal remedies and that the CAS Ad hoc Division did not have jurisdiction to rule on the application. They argued that according to their regulations, the Athlete had the right to request NADO Italia National Anti-Doping Tribunal (NADT) to lift the provisional suspension within three days of notice, with a hearing and a new decision to follow within four days. The athlete could also appeal to the NADAB within 10 days of the date on which she received notice of the NADT Decision. WADA, the IBU and the IOC also argued that the application is outside of the jurisdiction of the CAS Ad hoc Division. For further information related to CAS activity and procedures, please contact either Matthieu Reeb, CAS Director General, or Vanessa Tracey, Communications Officer. Palais de Beaulieu, av. Bergières 10, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. www.tas-cas.org media@tas-cas.org
The CAS Ad hoc Division Panel heard the arguments and carefully examined the procedural framework for an athlete as set out by NADO Italia’s regulations. They determined that had the Athlete been advised and chose to apply to the NADT to review the suspension, and had it been maintained, she would have had the right to appeal to CAS. In the absence of an application, and thus the absence of a further decision by the NADT, she has no right to appeal to the CAS Ad hoc Division. Should Ms Passler still wish to appeal the Decision, she may do so to the NADAB, provided that she does so before the deadline of 12 February 2026 – tomorrow.
Accordingly, the Panel has not ruled as to the merits of the alleged ADRV.
This is an unofficial summary for media use.
For further information related to CAS activity and procedures, please contact either Matthieu Reeb, CAS Director General, or Vanessa Tracey, Communications Officer. Palais de Beaulieu, av. Bergières 10, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland.
We are available to handle disputes before the CAS Ad Hoc and CAS Anti- Doping Divisions at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and further information is available from either Dr Lucien Valloni or Avv. Sara Botti by emailing them at valloni@valloni.ch or botti@valloni.ch.