Bowling Green’s Ralfs Freibergs remains eligible under NCAA rules, amid reports he tested positive for a
banned substance during the recent Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
If Freibergs’ failed drug test is true, he would be the second member of the Latvian men’s hockey team to
fail a drug test during the Olympics.
Although the International Olympic Committee still is investigating the second case and the offending
player’s name hasn’t been released, media reports in Latvia said Freibergs is the player involved.
Freibergs was in the lineup Friday at Northern Michigan, his first game for the Falcons since returning
from the Olympics.
The sophomore is a highly-skilled defenseman who has two goals and 18 assists in 31 games.
“We’ve been in touch with the NCAA and unless anything changes, they’ve said (Freibergs) is eligible to
continue to play,” BG athletics department spokesman Jason Knavel said Friday.
Knavel declined comment when asked if Freibergs had been drug tested by BG officials since returning to
school late Sunday afternoon.
Knavel said neither Freibergs nor the athletics departments had been notified of a positive drug test by
the World Anti-Doping Agency, the organization that oversees drug testing for the IOC.
Knavel said athletics department officials have reached out to the WADA, but have not heard back from the
organization.
Freibergs dressed for all five of Latvia’s games and played in three of the contests, totaling one
assist.
He’s scheduled to meet with the media in BG next week to discuss his Olympic experience.
Latvia finished eighth in the Olympics and nearly upset eventual gold medalist Canada in the
quarterfinals before losing a 2-1 decision. The eighth-place finish was Latvia’s best ever in the
Olympics.
The Latvian hockey team is facing penalties from the IOC after the second player on the team is suspected
to have tested positive for a banned substance, The (Toronto) Globe and Mail reported Friday.
Under IOC rules, teams aren’t punished unless more than one of its players commits an anti-doping rules
violation.
The Latvian hockey team could be disqualified from the Olympics, if a second player is found guilty of an
anti-doping violation.
Penalties also could include the IOC’s withholding funding of the Latvian Olympic Committee and “target
testing” of multiple Latvian athletes.
Latvian hockey player Vitalijs Pavlovs was found to methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine) in his system
after the loss to Canada, the IOC announced last week.
The drug is found in nasal decongestants, but also is considered to be a dietary supplement and
stimulant.
LOC secretary-general Georges Tikmers confirmed to Sportacenters.com there is suspicion another Latvian
team representative tested positive.
LOC board member Zigmars Pine said until any official decision is made, no further comment will be made.
Pine also said Pavlovs was “totally innocent” in his situation.