RAMS’ STEFAVONIC HIT WITH DOPING VIOLATION

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced Thursday that under the rules of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), it has asserted an anti-doping rule violation against University of Regina Rams player Michael Stefanovic. Stefanovic’s urine sample, collected during out-of-competition doping control at the CFL Western Regional Combine in March, revealed the presence of drostanolone, a prohibited anabolic agent.

Under the rules of the CADP, Stefanovic is pursuing a hearing to contest CCES’ assertion of a violation. His case remains open until the conclusion of the hearing and any subsequent appeal. At this point, Stefanovic does not have an anti-doping rule violation but has been provisionally suspended in accordance with the CADP until the matter has been resolved by an independent arbitrator.

“Obviously, we are extremely concerned that one of our student-athletes has tested positive for anabolic steroids,” said Tanya Reynoldson, interim director of athletics at the University of Regina. “While the adverse analytical finding is discouraging and we await the final outcome, we will continue to make significant efforts to educate our student-athletes about the consequences of using performance-enhancing substances.”

University of Regina Athletics conducts mandatory drug education seminars annually for all student-athletes through programs offered by the CCES, which is the organization that conducts comprehensive in-competition and out-of-competition testing of U SPORTS athletes in all sports throughout the year. In addition, Rams head coach Steve Bryce also organized a session with a member of the Regina Police Service to help educate his players about substance abuse prior to the 2016 season, his first as the head coach of the Rams.

“We are in unconditional support of the efforts of the CCES and U SPORTS to help ensure a level playing field throughout university sport in our country,” Bryce said. “We will use this as an opportunity to further educate our student-athletes about nutrition, substance abuse, and performance-enhancing supplements.”

The Rams and University of Regina Athletics will have no additional comment while the matter continues through the standard CADP process.