Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva can continue to compete in Beijing

By Daily Sports on February 14, 2022

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

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.

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.

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."

Source Sky Sports

Posted February 14, 2022


 

You may also like...
Lingard On Target As West Ham Beat Wolves...

Djokovic ruled out in 2017

Pressure mounts for Olympic refugee team

Super Eagles star Bassey completes Fulham move

Chelsea See Off Spurs As Sheffield Utd Miss...

Two Pogba Penalties Earn Sluggish United Win over...

 

Latest News Lagos SWAN Appoints SWANECO As Buildup To Election Begins Esther Okoronkwo: Canadian club hails Super Falcons star who stepped up when it mattered in WAFCON final Super Falcons Over Ran Morocco In Grudge Comeback Game Confirming Mission X Isak situation has to be right for Newcastle - Howe Hojlund's fight to answer Man Utd's striker question Inter to make €45m Lookman offer next week Man Utd won't sell players on the cheap - Amorim Players fear consequences of speaking out - Fifpro Messi ‘very upset’ after MLS suspension for All-Star no-show WAFCON 2024 Finale: The Grudge Game Of Wits, Brawns Ensues As Hosts Morocco Dares Nigeria Late Drama as Morocco Files Shock Petition to Disqualify Nigeria’s Plumptre & Alozie Hours Before Final Newcastle consider Sesko amid Isak uncertainty

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,598 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,769 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,767 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,362 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,361 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,345 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,161 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,709 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,808 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,428 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,861 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,292 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media