Saturday, February 9, 2002

Banned 'boarder crosses border

By STEVE BUFFERY -- Toronto Sun
 SALT LAKE CITY -- The U.S.A. has turned out to be A-okay to Canadian snowboard legend Ross Rebagliati.

 After being turned back at the U.S. border a few weeks ago and discovering that he had been targeted by American customs officials for non-entry as a result of his admitting to marijuana use years ago, The Toronto Sun learned last night Rebagliati is now in Park City, Utah, the site of the 2002 Olympic snowboard competition.

 Sources told The Sun last night that Rebagliati, with the help of an immigration lawyer, has received a four-month waiver to visit the U.S. and the boarder touched down on American soil last night.

 The waiver enables the Whistler, B.C., native, and former Roots spokesman, to take in all the Olympic activities at these Games.

 Rebagliati, 30, tested positive for marijuana at the '98 Nagano Games following his victory. He originally was stripped of the gold, but his title was reinstated after he had argued that the drug must have entered his system via second-hand smoke. Rebagliati admitted using marijuana prior to that, however, but said he quit using the drug after making the Canadian Olympic team.

2002 Games News Coverage