Alex Schwazer broke his silence at the Festival dello Sport in Trento on October 3, 2026, addressing his recent legal developments regarding a doping test in Germany alongside Italian singer Gianna Nannini. The event brought the Olympic gold medalist to Piazza del Duomo to discuss his athletic career, the ongoing fallout from past doping cases, and a new training partnership with Nannini for triathlon events, as reported by corrieredeltrentino.corriere.it.
Alex Schwazer Addresses the New Doping Case and Scientific Testing Methods
The public appearance in Trento followed recent news regarding Schwazer’s legal strategy following a positive EPO test administered in Germany earlier in the year. Speaking on stage, the race walker clarified his stance on the B-sample analysis. Ci tengo a precisare che non ho mai richiesto io questa analisi,
Schwazer stated, explaining that he made himself available procedurally after discussions between his legal team and the German anti-doping agency, NADA, which introduced the possibility of an alternative test method, according to corrieredeltrentino.corriere.it.
Elaborating on the scientific aspect of the procedure, RaiNews reported that Schwazer initially requested the testing of residual urine, known as sample C, which the German agency declined. However, the subsequent proposal to utilize an alternative scientific method offered a way to distinguish between exogenous EPO and naturally occurring EPO within the human body. Schwazer noted that while a standard re-examination would likely yield another positive result, his team pursued the alternative analysis for scientific clarity, as detailed by RaiNews.
Reflections on Past Legal Battles and Isolation Within Italian Sports
Looking back at the years following his 2016 disqualification, Schwazer expressed deep regret over the duration and emotional toll of his legal defense. Lo sport italiano invece mi ha abbandonato, a un certo punto ero come morto,
he said, contrasting his supportive family and close collaborators with the broader Italian sports establishment, as reported by corrieredeltrentino.corriere.it.

La Repubblica noted that Schwazer attended every court hearing following the 2016 suspension, describing the process as physically and mentally exhausting. The athlete admitted that knowing the immense difficulty of the five-year legal battle, he might have chosen not to fight it initially. Additional coverage from ufficiostampa.provincia.tn.it highlighted that Schwazer expressed a lasting desire to have competed at the Tokyo Olympics before age restrictions made elite competition unfeasible, emphasizing that his private support system kept him grounded while the sporting world distanced itself.
Gianna Nannini Defends Schwazer and Details Their Triathlon Training Partnership
The tone of the discussion shifted when Gianna Nannini joined Schwazer on stage in Piazza del Duomo. The singer and the athlete met in Merano, where Schwazer works as a personal trainer at a local hotel, leading Nannini to ask him to coach her for upcoming triathlon competitions, according to la Repubblica.
Nannini offered a strong defense of the athlete during the panel. Se ripenso alla sua vicenda, mi viene da piangere.
Lui è innocente,
Nannini declared, as cited by corrieredeltrentino.corriere.it. She praised his professionalism and expressed hope that he would return to official racing. Schwazer added that training Nannini is straightforward because of her dedication and methodical approach, noting that she requires more pacing control than motivation during sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alex Schwazer and the Trento Festival
When and where did Alex Schwazer make these remarks?
Alex Schwazer spoke on October 3, 2026, during a public appearance at the Festival dello Sport held in Piazza del Duomo in Trento, Italy.
How did Gianna Nannini and Alex Schwazer begin working together?
The two met in Merano, where Schwazer works as a personal trainer. Nannini approached him to request training for her upcoming triathlon competitions, establishing a collaborative coaching relationship.
What is the status of Schwazer’s legal defense regarding the recent German test?
Schwazer and his legal team engaged with the German anti-doping agency, NADA, regarding sample B analysis, pursuing an alternative scientific method intended to differentiate between external and endogenous EPO.
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