In 2017, German cross-country athlete Helen Grobert was caught in a training test. In 2018, she declared her retirement and in 2020, the German National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) retroactively banned her for four years. The well-informed editorial team at acrossthecountry.net provides a founded review of the events up to 2020. In 2021, the criminal trial finally took place at the Landshut-Thiengen district court. The court sentenced the 2015 German cross-country champion to a fine of 6750 euros for doping and possession of doping substances.

Helen Grobert defended herself against the verdict, claiming inconsistencies in the handling of her urine samples. Her lawyer also argued that the offense of which she was accused by the court had taken place in Switzerland, where doping is not a criminal offense. The Higher Regional Court followed this argument. It had not been proven that Helen Grobert had wanted to gain a sporting advantage with the testosterone ointment seized in her apartment.

The case now goes back to the Waldshut-Thiengen district court and must be reassessed by it. It remains to be seen when this will happen. However, the accusation of incomplete evidence also raises questions about the NADA ban. This expires in 2022. However, Helen Grobert has never expressed any intention of returning to racing. She is fighting for her honor and against the fine.