No Positive Tests: Milan-Cortina May Be Cleanest Games in a Generation

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, held from 6 to 22 February, marked a historic milestone with no athlete testing positive for prohibited substances during the event—so far. Over 3,000 samples were analyzed from nearly 2,000 competitors, and no anti-doping rule violations were reported. This achievement surpasses the last Winter Games without a positive test, which occurred in 1998 in Japan.

Following the 2012 London Olympics, 31 medals were revoked and 46 reallocated due to doping scandals. The McLaren report, initiated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), uncovered Russia’s state-backed doping program between 2011 and 2015, covering both the 2012 Summer and 2014 Winter Games. Yet, the absence of positive results in Milan-Cortina doesn’t guarantee a doping-free future. Athletes’ samples are retained for 10 years, enabling retrospective testing with advanced methods, which could still reveal past violations.

Expanded Testing: A Key Factor

One reason for the decline in positive tests is the intensified scrutiny before major events. The International Testing Agency confirmed that 92% of participants were tested at least once in the six months preceding the Games. Benjamin Cohen, the agency’s director general, called this the “most extensive program ever implemented.” Despite this, one alleged positive result emerged: Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler was provisionally suspended after testing positive for “Letrozole metabolite bis, methanol” on 2 February, just four days before competition began.

“We used to test athletes only when they reach the Olympic Games. Today, the system is completely different,” Cohen told BBC Sport. “We monitor the athletes throughout a much longer period—especially during the most sensitive phase, when they’re striving to qualify.”

Letrozole, a medication that reduces estrogen levels, is commonly used to treat breast cancer. Passler contested the suspension and was allowed to compete. Wada noted the decision was provisional, with a hearing scheduled by Italy’s anti-doping authority (Nado) at a later date.

The Cost of Doping: A Bobsleigh Team’s Story

John Jackson, a member of the British bobsleigh team, highlighted the broader impact of doping. At Sochi 2014, his team finished fifth, only to lose their medals after two Russian crews were disqualified for doping. Six years later, they were awarded bronze at a Team GB celebration in 2019. While this brought relief, Jackson admitted it wasn’t the triumph he hoped for.

“Do I feel like an Olympic medallist? I don’t know, because we never received our medal on a podium,” Jackson said. “We missed potential funding and sponsorship opportunities. But not only us—many athletes may have had to retire due to unmet financial goals.”

He emphasized that the consequences of doping extend beyond individual competitions, affecting the sport’s funding and opportunities. Jackson argued for harsher penalties, such as lifetime bans, to deter cheaters. “Great Britain used to have that, and I think that’s the only way to stop it,” he added, stressing the need for more severe consequences than current standards.