The doping case involving his push athlete Simon Wulff has far-reaching consequences for bobsleigh ace Francesco Friedrich long after the end of the season. As the German Bobsleigh and Luge Federation (BSD) confirmed in response to a dpa inquiry, the 35-year-old was subsequently disqualified from the two-man World Cup in Altenberg and therefore stripped of his victory. As a result, the four-time Olympic champion from Pirna loses first place in the two-man bobsleigh World Cup and therefore also in the overall World Cup. ZDF had previously reported on this.
The disqualification also has financial implications for Friedrich. "The awards and prize money for the men's two-man bobsleigh overall World Cup will be redistributed to the respective athletes," reads a letter from the IBSF to the German federation, which was obtained by dpa.
The new winner in the two-man and overall World Cup is Friedrich's long-time rival Johannes Lochner from Berchtesgaden, who was also subsequently declared the winner in Altenberg. The BSD was informed of this on October 14.
The Wulff doping case
Ex-athlete Wulff had celebrated victories in the two-man bobsleigh in Altenberg and Sigulda (Latvia) and a second place in the four-man bobsleigh in Winterberg in the previous season with four-time Olympic champion Friedrich before his positive test became known. The substance methylhexanamine was detected in Wulff at the 2024 World Cup opener in Altenberg. This is permitted in training, but prohibited in competition. He has always denied knowingly taking it.
Wulff was banned retroactively for 21 months until September 2026 following his positive result from December last year. This means that the 24-year-old will also not be available to bobsleigh dominator Friedrich at the Winter Olympics in February 2026. He will not be able to compete again until September 7, 2026.
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