Two-year sanction levied for use of tamixofen

(Ottawa, Ontario – March 3, 2010) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that Karl Pralow, a Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) football athlete, has committed an anti-doping rule violation. Mr. Pralow received a two-year sanction for the presence of tamoxifen in his doping control sample.

The violation occurred during in-competition doping control on November 15, 2009. The athlete’s urine sample returned an adverse analytical finding for tamoxifen, a banned hormone modulator on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

In response to the CCES’ notification of the adverse analytical finding, the athlete waived his right to a hearing and acknowledged the anti-doping rule violation. Although tamixofen is classified as a “specified substance” on the Prohibited List, Mr. Pralow did not qualify for a sanction reduction under the rules of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) and received the full two-year sanction.

“The Cégep Limoilou categorically opposes the use of prohibited substances by its student-athletes,” asserted its Director of Student and Community Affairs, Mr. Louis Grou.  “Cégep Limoilou has a zero tolerance principle against doping and fully endorses the CADP. We hope that this decision will deliver a very clear message to all student-athletes.”

The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Our mission, to foster ethical sport for all Canadians, is carried out through research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through programs and partnerships with other organizations.

-- 30 --