Winter Olympics 2026: Italian biathlete Rebecca Bassler tests positive for banned substances

Host Italy faces embarrassment days before the start of the Winter Olympics after biathlete Rebecca Basler tested positive for banned substances.

Bassler was provisionally suspended by the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) after testing positive for letrozole and methanol.

Letrozole is a medication used to lower estrogen levels and is often used to treat breast cancer, while methanol is a toxic chemical not intended for human consumption.

This is the first positive test for an athlete since teams began arriving in Italy for the Milan-Cortina Games, which officially begin on Friday.

Basler, 24, achieved her best result at the 2024 IBF World Championships when she finished 11th in the women’s 4x6km relay.

She was due to make her Olympic debut at her home games but that is now in doubt.

BBC Sport has contacted the Italian Olympic Committee for comment.

Basler’s uncle, Johan, is a former two-time biathlon world champion who won two bronze medals at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.