Einarson rink confirms lead Briane Harris suspended for doping violation

Curling Canada says it was deeply disappointed to find out Briane Harris was declared ineligible to compete at last month’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts because she tested positive for a banned substance.

The 31-year-old from Winnipeg — the lead on Kerri Einarson’s team — tested positive for trace amounts of Ligandrol, which is used to increase energy and muscle growth.

She’s appealing and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland will hear the case.

Harris was declared ineligible to compete in the Canadian women’s curling championship in Calgary just hours before her team played its opening game Feb. 16.

Einarson’s rink confirmed that Harris tested positive for a banned substance on social media Tuesday morning. The statement said Harris was unknowingly exposed to the banned substance through bodily contact.

Harris has retained legal counsel to help her clear her name.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports conducts testing both in competition and outside of competition.