Simon Wulff, push athlete for bobsleigh champion Francesco Friedrich, faces a temporary suspension due to a positive doping test for methylhexanamine, a stimulant found in some supplements. Although he hasn’t received a provisional suspension from the international bobsleigh federation, the German federation has sidelined him to protect the team’s integrity. Wulff plans to contest the findings and pursue legal assistance, while Friedrich will compete in St. Moritz with a different partner.
Suspension of Simon Wulff Following Doping Test
Simon Wulff, the push athlete for Olympic bobsleigh champion Francesco Friedrich, has been temporarily sidelined due to a notable doping test result. The German federation has placed a suspension on Wulff, preventing him from engaging in any sports activities. The stimulant found in his system is commonly present in dietary supplements and is permissible during training but not in competition.
Details of the Doping Violation
The substance identified in Wulff’s test is methylhexanamine, which has gained notoriety as a frequently detected stimulant in doping tests. As per the international testing agency ITA, this substance is often included in weight-loss products and dietary supplements. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the regulations of the international bobsleigh federation IBSF, Wulff has not received a provisional suspension; thus, he remains eligible to compete while the investigation unfolds.
Despite this, the German federation BSD has opted for a temporary suspension to prevent any potential repercussions for the team. As a result, Friedrich will take part in the two-man bobsleigh World Cup event in St. Moritz this weekend alongside Alexander Schüller. The federation stated in a press release that “the test revealed a substance that is allowed in training but prohibited during competitions.” Consequently, Wulff is “provisionally suspended from sports activities until the situation is fully resolved.” The significant test occurred on December 7 in Altenberg, according to Thomas Schwab, chairman and secretary-general of the German Bobsleigh and Toboggan Federation (BSD).
Wulff’s next steps include applying for the opening of the B-sample, with plans to seek legal assistance. Schwab emphasized the federation’s commitment to supporting Wulff and the team until a verdict is reached, reinforcing that the presumption of innocence applies until proven otherwise.
Methylhexanamine is known for providing a temporary boost in physical or mental performance and can be found in various dietary supplements and even tea. The National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) has highlighted the risks associated with this substance since 2010. A notable case involved biathlete Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle, who tested positive for the same substance during the 2014 Winter Olympics and faced a two-year ban, which was later reduced to six months.
Regarding potential penalties, Eva Bunthoff from Nada indicated that the international agency ITA manages the case and that the outcome could range from acquittal to a four-year suspension, depending on the findings. If the B-sample analysis confirms the A-sample result, it will be considered a confirmed violation of anti-doping regulations.
Wulff’s competitive future appears uncertain, as it is likely that the recent Winterberg World Cup may have been his last appearance for a significant period. The resolution of this case could take several weeks, even if Wulff is ultimately acquitted. Recently, Friedrich successfully competed in the two-man bobsleigh event alongside his long-time push athlete Alexander Schüller and achieved victory at Winterberg.
Wulff, a former sprinter with a 100-meter personal best of 10.06 seconds, joined Friedrich’s team at the start of the current season. His ambitions include competing in the 2026 Olympics. During this season, Wulff secured World Cup victories in two-man bobsleigh events in Altenberg and Sigulda, as well as a runner-up finish in the four-man bobsleigh in Winterberg. His participation in the upcoming St. Moritz competition alongside Friedrich remains uncertain, with the implications of a potential conviction for Friedrich’s results still unclear.