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Backstrom ‘I thought it was over, but I guess not’

Ice Hockey - Winter Olympics Day 8 - Sweden v Latvia

Nicklas Backstrom

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According to a report from The Hockey News, Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, who was cleared of positive drug test in Sochi, could still lose his silver medal won in Sochi.

WADA is appealing the decision by the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation, which cleared Backstrom.

“The decision to exonerate the athlete was recently appealed by WADA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” WADA’s senior manager of media relations and communications Ben Nichols told thn.com. “As with all pending cases, and adhering to the proper and normal respect for the integrity of the legal process, WADA will refrain from commenting on the subject until the appeal has been completed and a decision rendered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

WADA didn’t go into details on why it is appealing the ruling, but if successful, Backstrom could once again lose his silver medal and be suspended from international compeition.

Backstrom was banned from the gold medal game in February, which Sweden lost 3-0 to Canada, after his samples tested positive for pseudoephedrine, a substance found in an allergy medication. Backstrom had taken the medication for several years while playing at previous World Championships and two Olympics.

Following the Capitals 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, Backstrom wasn’t really interested in discussing the situation.

“I don’t really have anything to say about it,” Backstrom told CSNWashington.com. “We’ll see what happens. I mean, I thought it was over but I guess it’s not. I don’t really think about it. We’ll see.”

According to TSN hockey insider, Darren Dreger, the NHL is supporting Backstrom through the ordeal.

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