Gold at stake – Sport – Kommersant

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has completed its investigation into the case of Beijing 2022 Olympic figure skating champion Kamila Valieva. The Russian woman was convicted of using a prohibited substance – trimetazidine. Completion of the investigation is the stage preceding the transfer of the case to the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee. If Valieva is found guilty of violating anti-doping regulations, the Russian team will lose gold for winning the team figure skating tournament in Beijing.

Today, RUSADA announced the completion of the investigation into the high-profile case of figure skater Kamila Valieva. “Investigation completed,” she said. TASS General Director of the Agency Veronika Loginova. “Currently, the results processing department, in accordance with the established rules and procedures, is preparing the necessary documents for organizing hearings.”

In Valieva’s sample dated December 25, 2021 was discovered banned drug trimetazidine. On February 8, 2022, already during the 2022 Games in Beijing, after the Russian skaters won the gold of the team tournament (Valiyeva brought 20 points to the team piggy bank), RUSADA temporarily suspended athlete from the competition. This decision was successfully challenged before RUSADA’s independent disciplinary committee.

The International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Skating Union did not agree with the position of the independent disciplinary committee of RUSADA and filed appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). protests were rejected. CAS recalled that a Provisional Suspension could not be imposed on an Athlete due to exceptional circumstances, as a Minor Athlete is a “Protected Person” under the World Anti-Doping Code. As a result, Valiev was admitted to participate in the Olympic individual figure skater tournament, in which, however, she took only fourth place.

It is noteworthy that the Russian figure skaters team never received a medal. The International Olympic Committee refused to hold the award ceremony until the Valieva case is over.

That is, the fact that the CAS decides on the Valieva case, which, with a high degree of probability, will eventually receive the case, depends on the gold not only for her, but for the entire Russian figure skaters team. As already mentioned, Valieva brought the team 20 points. If they are annulled, then the Russians will lose their victory.

Arnold Kabanov