Curler Briane Harris’ Doping Appeal Heard at CAS Hearing
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) held a hearing on Monday for Canadian curler Briane Harris’ appeal against her doping suspension. Harris, who was a member of the Canadian women’s curling team at the 2018 Winter Olympics, was suspended for 18 months by the World Curling Federation (WCF) after testing positive for the banned substance, methylhexanamine.
Harris’ appeal was based on her claim that the substance was unknowingly ingested through a contaminated supplement. She argued that she had followed all necessary precautions and had no intention of cheating. Her legal team presented evidence to support her claim, including expert testimony and lab results.
The CAS hearing, which was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, was attended by Harris, her legal team, representatives from the WCF, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The panel of three arbitrators, led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, listened to both sides and asked questions to clarify certain points.
The WCF, represented by lawyer Richard Young, argued that Harris was responsible for what she ingested and that the substance was clearly listed as a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). They also pointed out that Harris had not declared the supplement she was taking on her doping control form.
The IOC, represented by lawyer Howard Jacobs, supported Harris’ appeal and stated that they believed she had not intentionally taken the banned substance. They also highlighted the fact that Harris had been cooperative throughout the investigation and had a clean record prior to this incident.
The CAS panel is expected to make a decision on Harris’ appeal within the next few weeks. If her appeal is successful, she will be cleared of her suspension and will be eligible to compete in future curling events. However, if her appeal is denied, she will have to serve the remaining 12 months of her suspension.
Harris’ case has sparked a debate about the responsibility of athletes to ensure they are not taking banned substances, as well as the issue of contaminated supplements. The WCF has stated that they will be reviewing their anti-doping policies and procedures in light of this case.
In the meantime, Harris and her team are hopeful for a positive outcome and are grateful for the opportunity to present their case at the CAS hearing. They are confident that the panel will make a fair and just decision based on the evidence presented.
