Four-time Canadian women’s curling champion Briane Harris has been provisionally suspended for up to four years after testing positive for a banned substance.
Harris, a member of Team Kerri Einarson from Gimli, Manitoba, has appealed the ruling, claiming she was unknowingly exposed through bodily contact.
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Team Einarson Response
In a statement issued today, Team Einarson addressed the situation:
“In mid-February, Briane was informed of a positive test for a banned substance, resulting in a provisional suspension from competition pending a final decision.
It appears that Briane was unknowingly exposed to this substance through bodily contact. She has retained legal counsel and is working to clear her name.
“Last week, the B Sample confirmed the presence of the substance. We want to address some of the comments made on social media since Feb. 16, the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts opening day, when Curling Canada announced Harris’ sudden ineligibility to compete.
“Any silence from Briane, Team Einarson, Curling Canada, or other involved parties was due to the need for confidentiality while awaiting the B sample results.
We fully support Briane and stand by her during this process. Our focus remains on finishing the season strongly, competing for our team, families, sponsors, and fans.”
According to CCES regulations, Harris faces a potential two-year suspension, although there is room for adjustments based on case specifics and test results.
The Court of Arbitration will hear her appeal for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, where there is precedence for overturning similar suspensions.
In a similar case, Laurence Vincent Lapointe of Trois-Rivières, Que., who competed for Canada in canoe sprint at the Tokyo Olympics, successfully appealed her doping suspension in January 2020.
Like Harris, Vincent Lapointe had tested positive for trace amounts of Ligandrol but argued it was due to unknowingly taking the substance through third-party contamination.
Curling Canada has a medical doctor and health and doping control consultant available for athletes.
Athletes using medications for medical purposes can seek exemptions.
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Performance Enhancing Substance?
CBC Sports has reported that the banned substance is Ligandrol, which is known for its muscle growth and energy-boosting properties.
Harris provided a statement to CBC: “I was completely shocked and devastated by my positive test result. As someone who avoids supplements and even hesitates to take basic pain relievers, I couldn’t believe this could happen to me.
It was heartbreaking not to compete in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and help my teammates defend our title. My priority now is to resolve this quickly to protect my Olympic aspirations, as it would be devastating to jeopardize them over something I didn’t do.”
Canadian Curling Alternate
The news of the doping violation and suspension came a day after Harris’ birthday.
Krysten Karwacki, the team’s alternate, replaced Harris at the Tournament of Hearts and received an all-star award.
Karwacki will continue in Harris’ place for the team’s final event of the season, the Grand Slam circuit’s Players’ Championship in downtown Toronto in April.
Harris was involved in choosing the date for today’s disclosure. In line with this,
World Curling also issued a statement:
“World Curling is dedicated to clean and fair sport, fully compliant with the WADA code. We maintain a robust in and out-of-competition testing program and provide athlete education resources.
“During an out-of-competition test in January, Canadian athlete Briane Harris returned an adverse finding on both her A and B samples.
“Due to the nature of the substance, Harris has been provisionally suspended while the results management process under the anti-doping rules is ongoing.
“Our stringent testing program is crucial to upholding the integrity of our sport and ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.”
You’ll check back here regularly to stay updated on the news.
