Canadian pole vaulter and Olympic bronze medallist Alysha Newman has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit due to Whereabouts Failures. Athletics Canada confirmed the suspension in a statement on Wednesday, expressing hope for her return to the National Team Program once eligible.
Newman, the first Canadian woman to medal in Olympic pole vaulting, faces a similar situation to decorated swimmer Penny Oleksiak, who was banned last year for three Whereabouts Failures. The suspension highlights the strict compliance requirements for elite athletes under anti-doping regulations.
The news comes as a setback for Newman, who has been a prominent figure in Canadian athletics. Athletics Canada emphasized its support for her while adhering to the rules governing athlete whereabouts and anti-doping protocols.
Lindsey Vonn’s attempt to compete in the Milano Cortina Olympics after rupturing her ACL is extraordinary but not impossible, according to U.S. musculoskeletal scientist Douglas Van Citters. He explained that elite athletes can sometimes function without an ACL if surrounding muscles and ligaments are strong enough to stabilize the knee. Vonn, who also suffered bone bruising and meniscal damage, plans to ski with a brace and begin training soon, though the risk of further injury remains.
Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps have withdrawn from the figure skating team event at the Milano Cortina Olympics following an injury to Stellato-Dudek. The 42-year-old, who made a remarkable comeback after 16 years away from the sport, is the oldest female world figure skating champion after winning in 2024 with Deschamps. Her participation in the individual pairs event remains uncertain as her condition is being assessed daily.
Mark McMorris secured his 25th X Games medal with a gold in slopestyle, setting a winter-athlete record. The Canadian snowboarder, a veteran of the sport, is now preparing for the Milano-Cortina Olympics as the only male slopestyle athlete who also competed in the discipline’s Olympic debut in 2014. McMorris remains focused on performing his best, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the moment rather than fixating on results.