Rugby athlete receives two-year sanction for using steroids

(Ottawa, Ontario – November 2, 2011) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that rugby athlete Jeff McKinnon has received a two-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The violation occurred during in-competition doping control on August 2, 2011 and resulted from the athlete’s urine sample returning an adverse analytical finding for testosterone and boldenone.

Testosterone and boldenone are both classified as anabolic steroids on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, and carry an automatic two-year sanction. In response to the CCES’ notification of the adverse analytical finding, McKinnon waived his right to a hearing, acknowledged the anti-doping rule violation, and accepted a two-year sanction ending August 2, 2013. The athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, including training with teammates.

“It is always disappointing when athletes are caught doping,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “These situations do though serve as a reminder to all athletes of the risks of doping to their health and their participation in sport.”

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is an independent, national, not-for profit organization. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. We are committed to working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.

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