By Canadian Press

Cheer athlete given lifetime ban for using and trafficking cocaine

Apr 18, 2023 | 1:10 PM

OTTAWA — A cheer athlete and athlete support person, has been handed a lifetime ban for multiple anti-doping rule violations, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport announced Tuesday.

The ban is retroactive to March 13.

The CCES said Alex “Marcus” Vargas acknowledged his own use of cocaine, as well as the administration and trafficking of cocaine to a protected person, in his role as an athlete support person, during the Alberta Cold Snap Classic cheerleading competition in Edmonton on Jan. 23, 2022.

A review was initiated following receipt of a disciplinary decision from the Alberta Cheer Association last July.

With Vargas having failed to dispute the violations within the timelines specified by the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, the violations and the sanction were confirmed by way of a deemed waiver.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2023.

The Canadian Press