Regina para-athlete banned for four months

A Regina para-athlete has been suspended from competition for four months after testing positive for a banned substance.

According to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, Janz Stein tested positive for hydromorphone during a urine test at the 2019 Canadian Athletics Championships in Montreal on July 25. Hydromorphone is an opioid that is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

The 38-year-old Stein competed in long jump and 100-metre events. Stein admitted he violated the rules but also said he inadvertently and unintentionally ingested hydromorphone.

In the written decision, Stein said he was prescribed hydromorphone after one of his legs was amputated but he immediately stopped due to the negative side-effects from the opioid.

Stein said he accidentally took hydromorphone, which was prescribed to his girlfriend, instead of his Tramadol prescription. Tramadol is not a banned substance. Stein said the pill bottles and pills themselves are very similar and he was distracted and suffering from phantom pains at the time.

While the Canadian Anti-Doping Program usually warrants a two-year ban due to the presence of hydromorphone, the arbitrator decided a four-month ban would suffice due to the circumstances. The ban will be in place until Nov. 24.

During the ban, Stein cannot participate in any sport affiliated with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, including training with teammates.

The full decision can be read here.