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Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was just 15 when she was caught up in a doping scandal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, has been banned for four years. The verdict means Russia will almost certainly be stripped of the Games’ team gold, with the International Skating Union expected to formally announce on Tuesday that the medal will go to the United States.
Valieva’s ban was upheld by the court of arbitration for sport, which said the skater, now 17, would be stripped of all her results, awards, medals and accolades since Christmas Day 2021, when she tested positive for a trimetazidine (TMZ) test. ), a drug designed to prevent angina.
The verdict was immediately welcomed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which condemned Valieva’s doctors and trainers in the strongest possible terms. “Child doping is unforgivable,” she said. “Doctors, coaches or other support personnel found to have provided performance-enhancing substances to minors must face the full force of the World Anti-Doping Code.”
However, in Russia the atmosphere was one of resigned indignation. “Of course, we do not agree with this,” Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, told reporters. “From my point of view, of course, it is politicized.”
Meanwhile, distinguished Soviet coach Tatyana Tarasova was more direct about Cas’s verdict. “Damn they are! Scum!” she said championat.ru.
Valieva was considered one of the stars of the 2022 Games and initially delivered by becoming the first woman to complete a quadruple jump in the Olympic team event, as the Russian Olympic Committee won gold. But a day later it was revealed that she had tested positive on TMZ six weeks earlier and a media storm broke out.
This was partly due to Valieva’s age and the question of whether a minor should face the same sanctions as an adult for doping. In the background lurked Russia’s past: the extent of state-sponsored doping in the country meant it was not allowed to display its flag or hear its anthem at the Games.
Finally, Cas allowed him to compete in the individual figure skating event. But she, under the most severe pressure, fell twice and finished fourth. Two years of legal wrangling followed before Cas finally reached her verdict.
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The verdict was also welcomed by US Anti-Doping Agency Executive Director Travis Tygart, who said: “Today’s decision in the Valieva case has been a long time coming. It is imperative that the ISU immediately handle the necessary technical processes to reallocate the medals accordingly.
“As we know, Russia has hijacked the Games since 2014, when it was caught red-handed running a state-sponsored doping scheme that stole clean athletes around the world,” he added. “Here, once again, those entrusted with the protection of the Games and the athletes have allowed Russia to endanger the well-being of its own athletes while depriving clean athletes and fans of honest Olympic competition, fair and authentic.”
Meanwhile, the United States Olympic Committee hailed the news as a “significant victory not only for Team USA athletes but also for athletes around the world who practice fair play and advocate for clean sport.”
“The incredible athletes on Team USA have shown remarkable strength,” he added. “His outstanding performances in Beijing will forever symbolize his commitment to fair competition.”