Vancouver View -- Positive Drug Test; Expert - Combine Winter Olympics, Paralympics

Cross Country Skier Faces Drugs Inquiry

The Polish Olympic Committee says a cross-country skier failed a drug test during the Vancouver Games, which could be the first serious infraction from the event last month.

Kornelia Marek tested positive for EPO according to a POC spokesman. Marek denied any wrongdoing.

Marek was part of the women’s 20km relay team that finished sixth. She also competed in the 30km mass start and the women’s team sprint. She finished 11th and ninth respectively.

The positive drug test reportedly came following the relay event.

Her backup “B” sample will be tested Friday in Richmond, location of the drug testing lab for the Vancouver Olympics. She will appear before the Polish ski federation after competing in this weekend’s World Cup event.

Should the results be upheld, the IOC could strike Marek from the roster of athletes who competed in Vancouver.

Combine the Olympics and Paralympics?

A founder of the International Paralympic Committee suggests combining the Winter Paralympics with the Olympics.

Robert Steadward tells The Vancouver Sun that combining the two events would help raise the profile of the Paralympics, at no cost to the Olympics.

"I believe what we need to do is look at the full inclusion of Olympic and Paralympic [Winter] Games together. The athletes are still separate, but they can share the village, the transportation, all of the expertise that is here," he said.

"Why wait 10 days and have to re-energize the spirit that was in this city and this country for two and a half weeks just last week? If we could have been incorporated in that whole situation, which I think can happen, what a wonderful presentation."

Combining the two events would require a change to the Olympic Charter.

However, Steadward said holding a joint-Games likely would not work for the Summer Olympics, which he says would be too large to manage.

Vancouver 24-Hour Torch Relay

In the final hours of the2010 Vancouver Paralympics Torch Relay, the flame will take part in a circular 24-hour relay in downtown Vancouver before arriving at B.C. Place Stadium for the opening ceremony.

The 24-Hour Relay begins at 2 pm local time at GE Plaza. Concerts, ice skating, sports activities and dancing will be a part of the celebration.

After the 24-Hour Relay, the torch will travel to B.C. Place Stadium for the opening ceremony taking place at 6 pm.

The 10-day Paralympics Torch Relay started March 3 in Ottawa. Torch stops included Quebec City, Toronto, Maple Ridge and Whistler.

Crosby's equipment Found

Sidney Crosby's stick and glove from the Olympic hockey gold medal game being shipped to him after they were found after a massive search effortled by Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The equipment went missing during the packing and shipping process following Canada’s 3-2 overtime win over the United States.

The stick was found in a shipment intended for the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, since it was originally not believed to be the stick used during the game. IIHF provided photographs to Hockey Canada and Crosby confirmed that the stick helped score the game-winning goal.

Crosby's teammate Patrice Bergeron discovered the missing glove, which had been inadvertently placed in his equipment bag. Hockey Canada said on Thursday that both items are en route to Crosby.

Following the gold medal hockey game, there was a massive search effort for the missing gear. Reebok Canada offered a reward of $10,000 CAD. Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s director of men’s national teams, led the search for the equipment.

“I want to thank everyone at VANOC, the team equipment managers, a number of Hockey Canada partners and the International Ice Hockey Federation in helping us track and locate several shipments to find the missing items,” said Salmond.

“With everyone’s cooperation, we were able to locate these items and are pleased to be able to return the stick and glove to its rightful owner.”

Ceremony Conference Call

VANOC will hold a conference call Thursday with reporters to discuss the Paralympic opening ceremony.

Ceremony executive producer Patrick Roberge will be on the call to provide background information to journalists.

Written by Ed Hula III and Sam Steinberg.