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Jun 23, 2026 Major2
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Ex-Olympic race walking champion Alex Schwazer faces third doping investigation
Former Olympic race walking champion Alex Schwazer, 41, is under investigation for doping for the third time after German anti-doping authorities detected EPO in his samples. Schwazer has denied the allegations and expressed exhaustion with the process, while his lawyer argues a third urine sample could prove his innocence. A guilty verdict could result in a lifetime ban.
Quick Facts
Who
Alex Schwazer
What
Doping investigation for EPO
When
2026-06-23
Where
Bolzano, Italy
- Doping investigation for EPO
- temporary suspension
- results management proceeding
- third doping case
- previous positive tests in 2012 and 2016
Alex Schwazer, the 41-year-old former Olympic race walking champion, is under investigation for doping for the third time after the National Anti-Doping Agency of Germany detected the blood-boosting drug EPO in both his urine and blood samples. The agency announced the temporary suspension and initiation of a results management proceeding on Monday. Schwazer won the German road race walking championships on April 26 in an Italian record time of just over three hours.
Schwazer, who won the 50-kilometer event at the 2008 Beijing Games, previously tested positive for EPO before the 2012 London Olympics and admitted to doping. He was banned for 45 months. After returning to competition, he qualified for the 2016 Olympics but was forced to withdraw when a retest of a doping sample showed positive traces of steroids, leading to an eight-year ban as a second offense.
Throughout the years, Schwazer has consistently denied allegations of doping. An Italian court acquitted him in 2021, citing evidence that his urine samples had been altered, but his appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss federal court were rejected, forcing him to serve the ban. His case has been the subject of a Netflix docuseries.
In the latest investigation, authorities will test the backup B sample as well as a third urine sample that Schwazer's former coach, Sandro Donati, was permitted to keep. Schwazer's lawyer, Gerhard Brandstätter, said that they were granted permission to keep the third sample. "The fact that we asked for a third urine sample shows that we don't have faith in the system, his innocence is in that sample," Brandstätter added.
At a press conference in Bolzano, Italy, Schwazer expressed fatigue with the legal battles. "I am innocent but I am not going to defend myself again, I don't have the energy anymore," he said. "I didn't take anything but I don't have faith in the system anymore." If found guilty again, Schwazer faces a lifetime ban.
Why This Matters
This case signals an increasingly aggressive stance by anti-doping authorities, even against established athletes. For readers following sports integrity or legal precedents, Schwazer's fight—including his unique third-sample argument—could reshape how doping cases are challenged and how credible alternative evidence is treated by courts and arbitration panels.
Timeline & Sources
Aug 22, 2008
WireAlex Schwazer wins 50km race walking gold at Beijing Olympics
Jan 1, 2012
WireSchwazer receives 45-month ban for EPO doping
Jul 1, 2012
WireSchwazer tests positive for EPO before London Olympics
Jan 1, 2016
WireRetest of doping sample shows steroid traces; Schwazer receives eight-year ban as second offense
Jan 1, 2021
WireItalian court acquits Schwazer citing altered urine samples
Jan 1, 2021
WireAppeals to CAS and Swiss federal court rejected; Schwazer serves full ban
Apr 26, 2026
WireSchwazer wins German road race walking championships
Jun 23, 2026
WireNADA Germany announces temporary suspension and third doping investigation for EPO
Jun 23, 2026
WireSchwazer holds press conference in Bolzano, stating he is innocent but exhausted