Controversy over the host country's withdrawal of doping No. 1 → dramatic return to the Olympics, this explanation was made "While eating chocolate jam..."" [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

It has been only about three weeks since the controversy erupted. Rebecca Pasler (24, Italy), a member of the host country's biathlon national team, will return to the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics stage after being dramatically cleared of doping charges.

"Pasler, who was expelled from the squad for testing positive for banned drugs, won a doping appeal and was cleared to participate in the Olympics," global media Reuters reported on the 14th (Korea Standard Time). "The Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) withdrew its temporary suspension because it judged that Pasler's calling was reasonable."

Earlier, Pasler caused a big stir when he tested positive for retrozole, a banned substance, in a doping test conducted on January 26. At the time, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) immediately expelled Pasler from the national team. In addition, foreign media such as "BBC" have intensively reported that the host country's athlete is the first doping case in the tournament to be caught just before the opening.

However, Pasler appealed immediately, pleading unfairness. According to evidence submitted by Pasler, the doping detection was due to contamination from Nutella jam barrels. It is explained that the drug substance was introduced into the body as Pasler used the spoon used by Pasler's mother, who is taking retrozole to treat breast cancer, to eat Nutella during breakfast.

The Italian Anti-Doping Agency accepted Pasler's claim. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also decided not to refute the decision. WADA said in a statement to 'Reuters' that "an explanation of the possibility of contamination is reasonable. "The ingredient would not have given any performance improvement benefits in this competition," he said.

With this, Pasler will join the national team training again from the 16th. "Pasler has been reunited with his colleagues since Monday, allowing him to participate in the Olympic program afterward," the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) said in a statement.

However, the participation events are expected to be limited in consideration of the hiatus. "Fastler can only participate in the women's relay on Wednesday," Italian team captain Klaus Hölligle said. "The final decision will be made after watching the training status."

The nephew of biathlon legend Johan Fasler and a former junior world championship champion, Fasler will be able to make his Olympic debut in his country. "It's been a very difficult few days, but I've always believed in myself," Pasler said in a statement through FISI, vowing to "thank you to my lawyers, my federation, my family and friends, and now I'm 100% focused on biathlon again."

With Pasler's return, host Italy will be able to speed up the hunt for biathlon medals again. However, WADA said, "This decision is tentative," adding, "The final hearing will be carried out again through the anti-doping court under NADO in the future."

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*This content was translated by AI.