TORONTO — Briane Harris, lead for Team Kerri Einarson, is currently awaiting the decision on her appeal regarding a provisional doping suspension. According to her legal team, a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is anticipated in October. The appeal follows a remote hearing held on August 23, with Harris’s legal representatives, Amanda Fowler and Emir Crowne, working diligently on her behalf.
Harris tested positive for the banned substance Ligandrol on January 24 during an out-of-competition test. The positive result, confirmed on February 15, came just before the Scotties Tournament of Hearts began. The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s anti-doping division is handling the case, but specific details about the timing of the decision have not been disclosed.
The World Curling Federation has refrained from commenting on the ongoing case, while Harris faces a potential ban of up to four years. However, the duration of any sanction could be adjusted based on the details of the case. In March, Harris’s B-sample also tested positive, leading her legal team to assert that the exposure to Ligandrol was unintentional and likely due to contact with contaminated substances.
Ligandrol, known for its muscle-building properties, is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Harris’s teammates and coach have chosen to stay silent on the matter. Harris, who expressed shock and distress over the positive test, has been outspoken about her hope for justice and a clear resolution.
The provisional suspension bars Harris from all curling activities and interaction with her team. During her absence, team alternate Krysten Karwacki stepped in at the 2024 national playdowns, where the team’s impressive run of four consecutive Scotties titles came to an end.
In a potentially hopeful parallel, Canadian canoeist Laurence Vincent Lapointe had her provisional suspension lifted in January 2020 after testing positive for Ligandrol. Vincent Lapointe’s case was overturned based on the argument that the substance was transferred via her ex-boyfriend’s bodily fluids. Although Vincent Lapointe did not elaborate further, she has expressed her support for Harris.
As the 2024-25 curling season progresses, Canadian teams are focusing on qualifying for the Canadian Curling Trials, set for November 2025, which will determine who will represent Canada at the Milan Olympics in February 2026. Team Einarson, despite the ongoing legal challenges, remains a strong competitor on the national stage, with Karwacki continuing to fill in for Harris.