New Delhi: Austria’s Madeleine Egle, a two-time Olympic luge medalist, has been banned for 20 months after missing three doping tests within 12 months. This had her ruled out of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed the decision on Monday stating that Egle did not contest the violation and accepted the consequences. Her suspension will run through October 2026, keeping her out of the next Olympic cycle.
At 27, Egle has been one of Austria’s standout athletes in luge. She was part of the team relay that won silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and bronze at Pyeongchang in 2018. More recently, she claimed the European title and a bronze medal at the World Championships in women’s singles, underlining her status as one of the top competitors in the sport.
The ITA, leading an independent anti-doping program on behalf of the @FIL_luge, reports that Austrian luger Madeleine Egle has accepted a twenty-month period of ineligibility for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
▶️ https://t.co/U77Eo6BTiP#KeepingSportReal pic.twitter.com/sqFnhHo1WO
— International Testing Agency (@IntTestAgency) September 22, 2025
Missed tests and personal toll
The ban stems from Egle’s failure to be available for doping control officers on three separate occasions. Athletes are required to update their whereabouts in the global anti-doping system, ensuring they can be tested during a designated one-hour slot each day. Missing three such tests is considered a violation, regardless of intent.
Last month, Egle addressed her case on social media in a post titled “The Moment Your Olympic Dream and Life Collapse in a Heartbeat”. She insisted that the missed tests were the result of “unfortunate coincidences” rather than any deliberate attempt to avoid testing. “My three missed tests happened because of unfortunate coincidences, not because I was trying to avoid testing,” she wrote.
Looking ahead
While the ban marks a crushing blow to Egle’s career, particularly with the Olympics less than 18 months away, it does not necessarily end her time in the sport. At 27, she could still aim for a comeback after her suspension in late 2026. However, missing Milan-Cortina is a significant setback for an athlete who has been at the heart of Austria’s luge success in recent years.
For now, the European champions’ absence leaves a major gap in Austria’s squad as they prepare for the upcoming seasons and the Winter Games without one of their most reliable medal contenders.