CANADA TO APPEAL STRIPPING OF SNOWBOARDER'S GOLD OVER DRUG

The Olympic Committee splits its vote over positive tests for marijuana,
that is not usually considered to enhance performance.

NAGANO, Japan -- Canadian Olympic officials have appealed the decision to
strip Canadian Ross Rebagliati of his gold medal after the Whistler
snowboarder tested positive for marijuana.

The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday night that Rebagliati, 26,
had failed both parts of the drug tests medallists go through at the
Olympic Games.

The vote to disqualify Rebagliati and strip him of his medal was a 3-2
decision by the IOC executive board. There were two abstentions.

But unlike Toronto sprinter Ben Johnson, stripped of his Olympic gold medal
and world record in 1988 in Seoul for using the anabolic steroid
stanozolol, Rebagliati's positive test did not involve what is generally
considered a performance-enhancing substance.

Asked if the IOC considered the Rebagliati case an equal crime to that of
Johnson's, IOC director-general Francois Carrard replied with one word --
``No.''

Carrard, who announced the IOC ruling, admitted opinions were ``quite
split'' about whether to apply a sanction.

``There is quite a lot of discussion about marijuana,'' he said. ``In some
situations it could have an enhancing effect. Opinions were quite split
about whether it [the sanction] was appropriate or not.''

``It was not as easy decision to take I can tell you very frankly,'' he added.

Asked what his thoughts were about stripping an athlete of a gold medal for
marijuana, Carrard said: ``I cannot express any personal opinion on this
matter.''

The Canadian Olympic Association, which scheduled a news conference for
midnight EST, says it plans to mount an appeal to an independent court of
arbitration. That body would have to make a ruling within 24 hours of the
appeal.

The IOC medical code calls for a punishment ranging from a serious warning
to a sanction, Carrard said.

``The decision was to apply sanction,'' he said.

He said there was no evidence the marijuana use happened in Japan.

Much of the news conference focused on why marijuana use could lead to such
a serious penalty.

``Marijuana is a drug with certain restrictions,'' Carrard said. ``It's not
proven it's a performance-enhancing drug. There's a debate with that drug.
And this debate is reflected here.''

The IOC confirmation capped hours of rumours concerning a positive drug
test and it comes just days after Canada celebrated Rebagliati's win in the
giant slalom on Saturday night.

It was the first ever snowboarding medal awarded at the Games and the sport
- -- famous for its unique style and zest -- seemed to be an instant Olympic
hit.

But on Tuesday night -- early Wednesday in Nagano, the rumor mill was
running in high gear about a positive drug test.

The Canadian Olympic Association scheduled a news conference and then
cancelled. Attempts to reach officials on their cellular phones failed. The
snowboarders were unreachable.

``All I've heard is like you is the rumours,'' said David Bedford,
assistant press chief for the Canadian Olympic team, prior to the Pound
confirmation.

Rebagliati is a professional snowboarder who was received like a rock star
when he received his gold medal. He dedicated his Olympic win to a friend
who died in an avalanche

The gold medal appeared to be Rebagliati's ticket to fame and fortune.