CARD NOT-SO-SHARP

World's Top Bridge Player Geir Helgemo Suspended for Alleged Doping

The World Bridge Federation claims Helgemo failed a drug test.

The world’s top-ranked bridge player has been suspended for alleged doping, according to The Associated Press. Geir Helgemo, who plays for Monaco but is from Norway, tested positive for clomifene, a female fertility drug, and synthetic testosterone, during a World Bridge Series competition in Orlando last fall. Helgemo accepted violating anti-doping requirements and will be suspended from the World Bridge Federation until Nov. 20. All of his medals, titles and points from last year’s World Bridge Series were stripped, per the AP. While Kari-Anne Opsal, who heads the Norwegian Bridge Federation, said the substances were “not performance enhancing...it is his responsibility not to take substances that are on the doping list.” The World Bridge Federation follows World Anti-Doping Agency requirements.

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