Nicklas Backstrom Missed the Gold Medal Hockey Game After Reportedly Testing Positive for Banned Substance in Allergy Medicine

Team Sweden had a day to forgot in the men’s hockey gold medal game vs. Canada, losing 3-0 in Sochi. Things took a bad turn for Sweden before the puck dropped when star center Nicklas Backstrom was scratched. The team initially said it was due to “migraines.”

More information is coming out and it sounds like Backstrom tested postive for a banned substance.

BREAKING: Swedish Olympic official says hockey player Nicklas Backstrom fails doping test at #Sochi2014 Games.
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 23, 2014

Yahoo!’s Greg Wyshynski provides more details. He reports the substance was an allergy medicine that is banned by the IOC.

"An NHLPA source tells Yahoo Sports that Backstrom violated anti-doping rules after using an allergy medication. Some, like Claritin, contain pseudoephedrine, a banned substance by the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Federation The source said he was pulled from the locker room before Sweden’s pregame skate, after being announced in the starting lineup. The source indicated he was tested on Friday."

If this is true and Backstrom tested positive via an allergy medicine that’s a really tough break for Sweden. It’s good to see the IOC anti-doping cops are doing there work and punishing the real cheaters.

Or not.