The APU's Anti-Doping Stance and the Path Forward
Updated May 17, 2022
As many of you know by now, the APU received news that we had three positive drug tests come out from Grit Power. At the meet, we had 10 athletes tested out of the 66 who competed. To say this result is a disappointment is an understatement.
The APU Executive is shocked, disappointed, embarrassed, and angered by these results. Alberta has always been a strong voice when it comes to drug free powerlifting and to have this happen in our own backyard has devastated us, especially with the introduction of the new Youth Division. We expect APU members to be role models to the new generation of lifters, and this is not the precedent we want to set. One positive test is unacceptable, but to have three positive tests come out of a single event tells us that the messaging and enforcement of our anti-doping policies and stance is not sinking in and has been disregarded. We have had an influx of new lifters into our sport in recent years, and whether it is a lack of understanding of our policies, or a blatant disregard of them, allow us to make that message clear now:
If you are a lifter that is choosing to take banned substances and chooses to disregard the spirit of fair, clean sport, you are not welcomed in the APU. This is not the community for you and we would highly encourage you to withdraw your APU membership immediately and choose a different path.
Every single lifter who weighs in on meet day is required to present a True Sport Clean certificate from CCES, which means that lifter has gone through the anti-doping course and understands what the CPU and APU’s rules and policies are when it comes to doping in our sport. These positive tests are not a matter of ignorance. These lifters knowingly cheated, and yet chose to show up on meet day, True Sport Clean certificate in hand, claiming to share the same values of the APU community. This tells us we need to take action to ensure the APU community remains committed to the pursuit of drug free sport and to take a stronger approach to enforcing our values.
Effective immediately, the following changes will occur within the APU:
The Alberta Powerlifting Union will always stand against the use of performance enhancing drugs and continue to promote the values of drug free sport. We have made the message clear, and will move forward from this dark chapter.
As many of you know by now, the APU received news that we had three positive drug tests come out from Grit Power. At the meet, we had 10 athletes tested out of the 66 who competed. To say this result is a disappointment is an understatement.
The APU Executive is shocked, disappointed, embarrassed, and angered by these results. Alberta has always been a strong voice when it comes to drug free powerlifting and to have this happen in our own backyard has devastated us, especially with the introduction of the new Youth Division. We expect APU members to be role models to the new generation of lifters, and this is not the precedent we want to set. One positive test is unacceptable, but to have three positive tests come out of a single event tells us that the messaging and enforcement of our anti-doping policies and stance is not sinking in and has been disregarded. We have had an influx of new lifters into our sport in recent years, and whether it is a lack of understanding of our policies, or a blatant disregard of them, allow us to make that message clear now:
If you are a lifter that is choosing to take banned substances and chooses to disregard the spirit of fair, clean sport, you are not welcomed in the APU. This is not the community for you and we would highly encourage you to withdraw your APU membership immediately and choose a different path.
Every single lifter who weighs in on meet day is required to present a True Sport Clean certificate from CCES, which means that lifter has gone through the anti-doping course and understands what the CPU and APU’s rules and policies are when it comes to doping in our sport. These positive tests are not a matter of ignorance. These lifters knowingly cheated, and yet chose to show up on meet day, True Sport Clean certificate in hand, claiming to share the same values of the APU community. This tells us we need to take action to ensure the APU community remains committed to the pursuit of drug free sport and to take a stronger approach to enforcing our values.
Effective immediately, the following changes will occur within the APU:
- Going forward, any athlete suspensions from Alberta will be posted on the APU website. This is inline with the CPU’s practices and ensures athletes are aware of any prohibited association rules with suspended athletes. Information about suspended lifters can be found at the following links:
- Current Suspensions in the APU: http://www.powerliftingab.com/current-suspensions.html
- Current Suspensions in the CPU: https://www.canadianpowerliftingunion.com/current-suspensions
- All CCES Anti-Doping Sanctions: https://cces.ca/canadian-sport-sanction-registry
- The APU will be proceeding with stronger enforcement of the Prohibited Association rules within the APU’s Code of Conduct:
- A Suspended Athlete cannot train with, coach, or compete with members of the APU
- Members of the APU cannot be coached by a Suspended Athlete
- A Suspended Athlete cannot be coached by a powerlifting coach who is a CPU Certified Coach. As a CPU certified coach, it is your responsibility to make sure you do not coach any Suspended Athletes.
- APU members who are found to be in violation of the above items will be suspended from the APU for a term of one (1) year. Multiple offences may result in a longer suspension term up to and including a lifetime suspension from the APU.
- Any APU registered club that has a member who fails a drug test at any level of powerlifting competition in the APU/CPU/IPF shall face the following sanctions:
- 1st Offence – Club Suspension until December 31st of the following calendar year in which the drug test occurred (E.g. If the suspension occurs on June 1, 2021, the club will only be allowed to re-register after December 31, 2022). The club will then be allowed to re-register.
- 2nd Offence - Club Suspension for three (3) years from the date the drug test (E.g. If the suspension occurs on June 1, 2021, the earliest the club would be allowed to re-register is after June 1, 2024). The club must then apply to the APU’s Appeal Committee to be able to re-register as a club.
- 3rd Offence – The Club will receive an automatic lifetime suspension from the APU. No exceptions.
The Alberta Powerlifting Union will always stand against the use of performance enhancing drugs and continue to promote the values of drug free sport. We have made the message clear, and will move forward from this dark chapter.
