SNOWBOARDER LOSES HIS GOLD TO POT

Nagano

The first Olympic gold medal winner in the youngest, hippest sport in the
games -- snowboarding -- was stripped of his prize today because of
marijuana use.

Ross Rebagliati of Canada tested positive for the drug after his winning
run in the men's giant slalom Monday, the International Olympic Committee
said.

It was the first positive drug test rported at the Nagano Games, and
officials said they could not recall another Olympic case involving
marijuana.

IOC Director General Francois Carrard said today that Rebagliati had been
asked to return his gold medal. The Canadian Olympic Association said it
would appeal the case.

Carrard said the IOC has not yet decided how to reallocate the snowboarding
medals if the takeback holds up through appeal. At the competition Sunday,
Italy's Thomas Prugger placed second, Ueli Kestenholz of Switzerland was
third and Diter Krassnig of Austria fourth.

Carrard said the first part of the two-part drug test found traces of
metabolized marijuana in Rebagliati's urine. The second part of the test
turned up more signs of marijuana use, 17.8 nanograms per milliliter,
Carrard said.

The IOC has no specific threshold for marijuana use, although it is a
banned substance. It is not listed as a performance-enhancing substance,
however. International federation rules allow 15 nanograms per milliliter,
the IOC allows none. The fact that Rebagliati's levels tested above 15 "did
have a certain influence on the debate," Carrard said.

"It is always sad to be facing such a situation," Carrard said. "It was not
an easy decision to take."

He refused to go into detail about the decision-making process because of
Canada's appeal. But he did say the IOC board vote was 3 to 2, with two
members abstaining. The medical commission vote was 13 to 12 in favor of
recommending action to the IOC governing body.

The IOC also could have reprimanded Rebagliati but allowed him to keep his
medal.

Carrard said he had no indication either that Rebagliati used the drug in
Japan or that Japanese authorities were investigating.

The Committee for the Arbitration of Sport will now review the case and
must rule within 24 hours. It has overturned drug cases before.

Rebagliati said at his post-victory news conference that he first realized
his sport had reached Olympic status when drug testers started to appear at
meets.