From the official web page of National Anti Doping Agency of Germany.
The National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) has initiated a results management proceeding based on the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC21)/National Anti-Doping Code of Germany (NADC21), and the anti-doping regulations of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) against Italian race walker Alex Schwazer due to a possible anti-doping rule violation. NADA Germany has imposed a temporary suspension on the athlete. NADA Germany has also filed a complaint with the competent public prosecutor’s office based on the Anti-Doping Act.
At the German Road Race Walking Championships, the substance Erythropoietin (substance class S.2 on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List), or EPO for short, was detected in both the athlete’s urine and blood samples.
Statements by Alex Schwazer at the following press conference at 4:00 PM on June 22, 2026
During the press conference in Bolzano, Schwazer stated that he is innocent and has not taken EPO or any other banned substances.
“I’m innocent, but I no longer have the strength to defend myself. You don’t have to feel bad for me; my conscience is clear” the South Tyrolean race walker declared during the press conference that began at 4:00 PM and was held in Bolzano. “On Friday morning, I received an email notifying me that I had tested positive for EPO during tests carried out after the marathon at the German Championships. I’m innocent, but I won’t defend myself anymore because I don’t have the strength. I haven’t taken any drugs, but I no longer have faith in the system.“
Schwazer announced that he no longer intends to continue the legal battle: “At 41, I no longer have the strength. I don’t want to jeopardize my life, my work, and my family.“
The athlete specified that the only request he has made will be for a counter-analysis of the sample: “We will only ask for it if a urine residue kept by Sandro Donati is also tested. Otherwise, I will also decline the analysis of sample B.”
The walker then spoke about his state of mind: “I don’t know why they’re against me, and I’m no longer interested in finding out. If I started investigating, I’d end up destroying myself. I’m innocent, and I don’t want to waste any more energy on battles that could wear me down psychologically. They can do whatever they want, I don’t care anymore.“
The first reactions of the main Italian walkers to the news
The Italian walking world has harshly distanced itself from Alex Schwazer after his third positive EPO test, detected by the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Italian athletes have expressed disbelief and annoyance, but also a great deal of sarcasm and self-deprecation, rejecting conspiracy theories and defending the credibility of the entire sports movement.
Below are the social media posts of Francesco Fortunato, Antonella Palmisano and Massimo Stano.
Our link to the news of the competition
German Half Marathon and Marathon Race Walking Championships – Kelsterbach (GER)