ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Biathlon Union (IBU) announced on Monday that its Integrity Unit has received confirmation from Italian National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italia) that Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler has committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The IBU said its Integrity Unit works in close coordination with NADO Italia and the anti-doping bodies of national biathlon federations to ensure the implementation of robust anti-doping programs at the national level. The violation was detected and recorded through testing carried out by NADO Italia, which is therefore responsible for managing the disciplinary case.
Passler tested positive for letrozole in an out-of-competition sample taken ahead of the Olympic Games. Letrozole can be used in the treatment of breast cancer and is also known to control the effects of steroid use.
The 24-year-old Passler has yet to win a medal at a major international championship.
Biathlon events at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from Feb. 8 to 21 at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena.
