Kamila Valieva: Russian figure skater can continue to compete in Beijing | News

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva will be allowed to compete in the women’s single in figure skating at Olympics after a decision by sport’s top court CAS; they cited Valieva is a “protected person” under WADA rules as one of the exceptional circumstances underpinning its decision

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Sky Sports’ Geraint Hughes explains why Kamila Valieva has been cleared to compete at the Winter Olympics following a failed drugs test

Kamila Valieva has been cleared to continue to compete at the Winter Olympics
after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) determined that no provisional
suspension should be imposed.

The CAS cited “exceptional circumstances” for its decision, after the 15-year-old submitted a positive sample for the banned substance trimetazidine on Christmas Day.

They included Valieva’s status as a “protected person” under the World Anti-Doping Code, “serious issues” in the process of notifying Valieva of her result, and the fact a suspension could cause her “irreparable harm”.

The figure skater is one of the youngest athletes to face a doping charge during the Olympics.

The result of the positive drug test was not revealed until February 8 after Valieva had competed in the team event at the Winter Games, dazzling the world by becoming the first female skater to land the first quad jumps ever completed in Olympic competition.

CAS emphasised the “serious issues of untimely notification of the results” in its decision.

“Such late notification was not her fault, in the middle of the Olympic Winter Games,” the ruling said.

Valieva submitted a positive sample for banned heart medication trimetazidine on Christmas Day

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) received notice of Valieva’s positive sample and almost immediately lifted the automatic provisional suspension, effectively enabling her to remain on Olympic ice.

The decision was appealed by the International Testing Agency (ITA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Skating Union (ISU), and an ad-hoc CAS committee was set up in Beijing to hear the case.

Valieva, who has continued training daily throughout the developments, will now take part in the short program section of the women’s figure skating competition at the Capital Indoor Arena in Beijing on Tuesday – in which she is the overwhelming favourite to claim the gold medal.

CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said: “While these rules have specific provisions for evidence of a different standard of evidence and for lower sanctions in case of protected persons, the panel was therefore concerned that if a permanent suspension would be imposed on the athlete and later – at the end of the day, after the completion of all procedures – she would not be sanctioned or would have a very low sanction, the provisional suspensions would have caused serious damage.”

The decision was immediately slammed by the United States Olympic Committee (USPOC), whose chief executive Sarah Hirshland said: “It is the collective responsibility of the entire Olympic community to protect the integrity of sport and to hold our athletes, coaches and all involved to the highest of standards.

“Athletes have the right to know they are competing on a level playing field. Unfortunately, today that right is being denied. This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia.”

Trimetazidine, which is used to treat chest pain and angina, increases blood flow to the heart. It was added to WADA’s list of prohibited substances in 2014.

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang and Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare are among those who have previously been sanctioned for its use.

Canadian Olympic Committee president Tricia Smith said: “The situation that has unfolded with respect to the Russian figure skating athlete’s doping case is extremely unfortunate and sad for the athletes.

“The COC is fully committed to clean sport and we firmly believe that no one involved in doping or other corrupt practices has a place in the Olympic Movement.

“While we trust that the CAS decision was the result of a fair process, we are extremely disappointed with this result.”

Former American gold medal winner Tara Lipinski said: “I strongly disagree with this decision. At the end of the day, there was a positive test and there is no question in my mind that she should not be allowed to compete.

“Regardless of age or timing of the test/results. I believe this will leave a permanent scar on our sport.”

What happens next?

Sky Sports’ Geraint Hughes spoke about the latest developments and what happens next in one of the biggest controversies in the history of the Games.

“Let’s just makes this clear. This is not about whether she has failed a doping test or not – that now happens next,” he said.

“There is an investigation going on by WADA to look into her entourage – her coaches, her doctors, physios, maybe even some of the closest adults around her because, let’s not forget, this is a 15-year-old girl we are dealing with here, who probably was not aware if she has taken anything because we’re still awaiting the results of her B sample [as to] whether she may have taken anything knowingly.

“She’s 15, we’ve got to remember that in this case.

“She is free to compete at the Olympic Games. However, what has not been included is whether she has doped or not, with the IOC conceding this morning that it won’t be resolved until probably after the Games are over.”