logo
Team Einarson lead Briane Harris files complaint against CCES with WADA: reports

Team Einarson lead Briane Harris files complaint against CCES with WADA: reports

CBC03-03-2025
Curler Briane Harris, recently reinstated after sitting out nearly a year due to a provisional suspension, has filed a complaint against the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport with the World Anti-Doping Agency, two sources with knowledge of the situation said.
The complaint was sent to the Montreal-based agency on Feb. 7, claiming nonconformity with the WADA Code by the CCES, according to a 10-page document that has been seen by The Canadian Press.
CBC Sports has not independently confirmed the reports.
The CCES is an independent organization responsible for administering Canada's anti-doping program. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the complaint has not been made public.
A four-time national champion as lead with Team Kerri Einarson, Harris had her ban lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last January after it found she bore no fault or negligence for an anti-doping rule violation in January 2024.
Harris tested positive for trace amounts of the substance Ligandrol, which is banned by WADA for its anabolic, muscle-building effects. The Winnipeg native claimed she was unknowingly exposed to it through bodily contact.
Allegations against CCES
The complaint to WADA was a result of developments in the days after Harris received out-of-competition test results on the eve of the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the document said.
Her Toronto-area lawyers, Emir Crowne and Amanda Fowler, informed the CCES and World Curling on Feb. 19, 2024 of what they claimed was an alarming confidentiality breach, the document said, stemming from posts made two days earlier on the social media website Reddit.
In a curling thread on the online forum, a user claimed to know details of the Harris case and posted them citing "a friend that works for the CCES" as the source of the information, according to the complaint.
The posts, which Harris's lawyers claimed were seemingly accurate and contemporaneous, were deleted three days after they went online, the complaint said.
Email exchanges between the curler's legal representation and CCES chief executive officer Jeremy Luke were included in the complaint along with the Reddit thread and screenshots of deleted posts.
The Ottawa-based CCES, citing results of an internal investigation, said it did not believe anyone from the centre had shared the information publicly, according to the complaint.
Messages left with the CCES were not immediately returned.
Harris has asked that the matter be investigated thoroughly and independently, the complaint said, and that she be apprised of the findings of any investigation. Her lawyers claimed that the CCES investigating and exonerating itself is why WADA oversees its signatories, the complaint said.
WADA did not immediately return a followup message on whether there will be an investigation into the Harris complaint.
The World Anti-Doping Code, first published in 2003, is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world, the agency's website said.
Impact on Team Einarson
It's unclear when the 32-year-old Harris, who declined an interview request, might return to competitive play.
Her team, based in Gimli, Man., is ranked second in Canada behind national champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa. The rink has used a number of substitute players with Harris unavailable and second Shannon Birchard out with a long-term knee issue.
Krysten Karwacki, normally an alternate, has filled in at lead. Karlee Burgess was added to the team in mid-season as an injury replacement for Birchard.
Einarson's team has already secured a berth at the Montana's Canadian Curling Trials in November. That event will determine the country's four-player team representatives at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics in Italy.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open
Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open

Globe and Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Globe and Mail

Pospisil gets a heartfelt sendoff at National Bank Open

Vasek Pospisil's last-ever professional match was a gruelling three-setter that ended in a standing ovation Sunday night at the National Bank Open, followed by a teary farewell speech. On a hot, humid evening, before a big opening night crowd, the Vernon, B.C. native stretched out his farewell night of pro tennis as best he could. He winced through pains and crushed some winners too, before ultimately losing to Argentina's Bagnis Facundo, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. 'I have mixed emotions when it comes to this sport,' Pospisil reflected afterward. 'It's a really, really tough sport, physically and mentally, and at some point you burn out. At least I did.' From Vernon, B.C. to Wimbledon, Vasek Pospisil's tennis career proves 'Anything is Pospisil' With the loss, the 35-year-old Canadian called time on an 18-year tennis career that saw him reach a career-high singles ranking of No. 25, and a win a Wimbled doubles title. As a long-serving member of Team Canada, he also helped deliver the country's first-ever Davis Cup title in 2022. Pospisil was also an outspoken advocate for athlete rights, founding the first Professional Tennis Players Association alongside Novak Djokovic in 2019. The veteran player from Vernon, B.C received a main-draw wild card for the event in Toronto to play his farewell. A large group of his friends and family attended Sunday's farewell match. Another Canadian trailblazer, doubles legend Daniel Nestor, was there watching. Pospisil's mom Mila was there, and his dad Milos too, who coached him until he was 20. They made lengthy father-son trips by car or in a mobile home to save money in the early days. Canada had welcomed the couple and their two older sons after they escaped the former Czechoslovakia. Vasek was born in Vernon shortly after, in 1990. Pospisil had been largely absent from tournaments in recent years as he rehabbed various injuries. Prior to Sunday, he'd played just two singles matches in 2025, both at Challengers in Canada, each losses in qualifying. His last ATP Tour-level appearance was the 2024 National Bank Open in Montreal, where he lost in the first round. In this edition Sunday night, for his finale, Pospisil drew a fellow 35-year-old for an opponent, a player ranked 772nd who came through qualifying. Bagnis was leading 4-2 in the opening set when Pospisil left the court with a trainer to treat an apparent groin injury. The near-full Sobey's Stadium cheered the Canadian's return a few minutes later. 'I wish I could have not pulled my muscle in the fifth game of the match and enjoyed the match a bit more,' Pospisil would later say, with a chuckle. The 6-foot-4 player from B.C appeared to wince and step gingerly while moving about the court when the match resumed. Pospisil has had several injuries throughout his career and has spent much of the past few years rehabbing. During his best years on the ATP Tour, Pospisil had made the quarterfinals in singles at Wimbledon and reached three tour-level singles finals. Longevity is hard in this physically demanding sport. It's gruelling to come back when you've been away. Pospisil lost the first set and then appeared to find a second wind while breaking Bagnis early in the second and giving his family a big fist pump as the Toronto crowd got a chance to bellow. The Canadian delivered a huge winner down the line to make it 5-3, clenching his fist and roaring like he used to, as his family rose to their feet. He forced a third set and hollered again. Pospisil tired down the stretch. The third set had some of those beauty drop shots that helped Pospisil succeed in doubles. Fans chanted his name. Ultimately the Canadian ran out of steam. After the loss on Sunday, Canadians rose to their feet to salute the long-standing player. 'It's kind of tough to win a match like that on one leg. Of course, I wasn't going to retire or pull out, I had to finish my last match,' he said. Then a thank-you video played inside Sobey's Stadium with a montage of Pospisil's biggest career moments. Through tears, he then delivered an emotional thank-you speech to everyone seated in his player box – from family to coaches and Davis Cup teammates. 'Thanks for telling me over the years that a Pospisil never quits,' he said to his father. When asked in his post-match press conference why he always prioritized playing for his country while many ATP players choose not to make the time for it, the freshly retired player responded frankly: 'I don't understand players that don't play Davis Cup and don't play Olympics. I genuinely don't,' said Pospisil. 'I think it's just a no-brainer to play for your country, and it's good for everybody, good for you, good for your energy. . . Okay, prioritize a week of rest to have you fresh for one of a thousand tournaments that you're going to play in your career, or go and represent your country… I think, a lot of times, it comes down to money for these guys, and that's just not the right way to look at it.' Pospisil is the first of two significant Canadian tennis players to mark their official retirements at the current NB Open. Genie Bouchard will also call it a career at the WTA edition in Montreal.

Argonauts return quarterback Chad Kelly to the injured list
Argonauts return quarterback Chad Kelly to the injured list

Toronto Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Toronto Sun

Argonauts return quarterback Chad Kelly to the injured list

Published Jul 27, 2025 • 2 minute read Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly gives instructions during opening day of CFL training camp in Guelph, Ont., on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn / The Canadian Press Nick Arbuckle will remain the Toronto Argonauts' starting quarterback for the next little while. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto placed incumbent Chad Kelly on the six-game injured list Saturday before its 31-17 home win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Argos had put Kelly on the one-game list through each week of the season, allowing the CFL's 2023 outstanding player to practise with the team as he recovered from a serious leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. With Kelly sidelined, Arbuckle led Toronto to its 41-24 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg at B.C. Place. He was named the game MVP after completing 26-of-37 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Argos were hopeful Kelly might return following their bye week. However, Arbuckle — who has been the starter all season to this point — remained under centre for Toronto's 26-25 loss to Montreal on Thursday before leading the squad to its first home victory Saturday night. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And Arbuckle will remain under centre Friday night when Toronto (2-5) visits Winnipeg (3-3) to complete the home-and-home set. 'I think it (placing Kelly on six-game list) is a smart decision,' Toronto coach Ryan Dinwiddie said following Saturday's game. 'We've got to look after Chad and the organization. 'We just can't force his hand, 'Let's play,' when we're not sure yet. When we're fully sure of the situation collectively we'll make that decision. He's willing to play but at the same time we're going to put him on the field when he's ready to play.' Kelly was on Toronto's sidelines Saturday night but Dinwiddie said there's no timeline regarding when the quarterback will make his '25 debut. 'Who knows?' he said. 'That could be week to week but he's working at it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He wants to be there for his brothers … he's always around and when he's around he makes us better, on or off the field. When the time comes we'll make that decision but it's got to be collectively … we have to make a decision when it's the right time and we won't make that decision until it is the right time.' Kelly missed Toronto's first nine regular-season games in 2024 due to a CFL-imposed suspension. The six-foot-one, 216-pound American returned to the Argos, completing 175-of-258 passes (67.8 per cent) for 2,451 yards with 10 TDs and eight interceptions. He earned CFL outstanding player honours in 2023 after passing for 4,123 yards with 23 TDs and 12 interceptions. Canada Editorials Sports Canada Toronto & GTA

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store