An Italian biathlete has been cleared to compete in the Milan Winter Olympics after successfully arguing there was an innocent explanation for her failed drug test. Rebecca Passler tested positive for the banned substance Letrozole on Jan. 26 and appealed her suspension. Italy’s anti-doping body has now upheld her appeal after she argued that she failed the doping test because of contamination from a shared spoon she used to dip into a jar of Nutella. Passler said she lives with her mother, who was taking Letrozole as part of her treatment for breast cancer, and that the banned substance must have inadvertently contaminated a spoon she used to eat some Nutella spread she had for breakfast the day before the test. In a statement to Reuters, the World Anti-Doping Agency said “contamination is a plausible explanation and the substance would not have any performance benefit” at the Games, and it does not plan to contest the decision. The Italian Winter Sports Federation has given the go-ahead for Passler to take part in the Games, although it is unclear how much she will actually participate. Italy team captain Klaus Hoellrigl believes she may just take part in a biathlon relay race on Wednesday.
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