The ongoing Valieva situation & the Beijing Olympics Team Medals - 29 Jan. 2024 - CAS decision released

[Elizabeth]

An update article from the same source that first broke this story: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... ijing-2022

ITA appeals to CAS after Russia lifts doping suspension given to Valieva on day due to be awarded Olympic gold

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has confirmed an appeal is ongoing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) lifted a provisional suspension imposed on figure skating star Kamila Valieva.

The ITA released a statement confirming Valieva had provided a sample containing trimetazidine during the 2022 Russian Figure Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg on December 25.

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory in Stockholm confirmed an adverse analytical finding on February 8.

That was the same day the team figure skating medals were due to be awarded at Beijing 2022, leading to the suspension of the medal ceremony.

Valieva challenged a provisional suspension, which the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee lifted on February 9.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) had won in the team event, which took place on Monday (February 7), with Valieva proving pivotal to the team's success.

She led the women's singles standings in both the short programme and the free skating.

Valieva performed the quadruple jump twice - a manoeuvre that has never before been successfully landed at the Winter Olympic Games.

This controversial decision by RUSADA to lift the suspension allows Valieva to continue her participation at Beijing 2022, including training yesterday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has appealed the decision to lift the provisional suspension through the ITA, who are responsible for drugs testing at these Games, due to the need for an outcome in the case prior to the women's singles event next week.

As it stands, Valieva will be free to compete in the women's singles event which is due to start next Tuesday (February 15).

Should the IOC succeed in its appeal at CAS, the provisional suspension would be imposed and would prevent Valieva from competing.

This would lead to a full decision being required on the case.

"Under the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Skating Union (ISU), RUSADA and the IOC have a right to appeal the decision to lift the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," an ITA statement said.

“The IOC will exercise its right to appeal and not to wait for the reasoned decision by RUSADA, because a decision is needed before the next competition the athlete is due to take part in (Women Single Skating, 15 February 2022).

“Following the delegation of the IOC’s anti-doping program in relation to the Olympic Games to the ITA, the ITA will lead the appeal before CAS on behalf of the IOC.

“The proceedings on the merits of the apparent anti-doping rule violation, including the athlete’s right to request the analysis of the B-sample, will be pursued by RUSADA in due course.

“The decision on the results of the ROC team in the Team Figure Skating event can be taken by the ISU only after a final decision on the full merits of the case has been taken.

“The procedure, which is initiated currently, can only address the provisional suspension.

“Given that the legal process for this case is not finally concluded, the ITA will not provide any additional comments.

"Any further information on the case will be issued in form of a public statement.”

Under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Code, Valieva is a "Protected Person", due to her being under the age of 16.

That means as "an athlete who at the time of the anti-doping rule violation: has not reached the age of sixteen" Valieva cannot officially be identified if she is guilty of an anti-doping violation.

The ITA claimed it had released the statement due to the "necessity for official information due to heightened public interest".

More follows

[Elizabeth]

Some statements from the Russian side as posted by Inside the Games:

ROC says Valieva produced negative tests "before and after" December 25 positive

The Russian Olympic Committee has just released a statement on the Kamila Valieva case, with the organisation saying the positive test "does not apply to the period of the Olympic Games".

“At the same time, the Athlete repeatedly passed doping tests before and after December 25, 2021, including already in Beijing during the figure skating tournament," the statement says.

“All results are negative.

“The provisional suspension status implies that the Athlete from February 8, 2022 did not have the right to participate in Russian and international competitions until the final decision in her case is made.

“To protect the rights and interests of the Russian athlete, qualified lawyers were involved in this case, who provide the Athlete with all the necessary legal assistance.

“In accordance with the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, the athlete requested RAA RUSADA to hold an expedited hearing regarding the provisional suspension applied to her.

“The hearings took place on February 9, 2022. Following the results of the hearings, the Disciplinary Committee of RAA RUSADA canceled the temporary suspension applied to the Athlete.

“The decision entered into force immediately.

“In accordance with the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, the decision of the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of RAA RUSADA to lift a provisional suspension may be appealed by interested parties to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS).

“Thus, at present, K. Valieva has the right to train and take part in competitions in full without restrictions, unless the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes a different decision regarding her status in relation to the Olympic Games.

“In any case, on the merits of a possible anti-doping violation, a disciplinary investigation will be conducted by RAA RUSADA in accordance with the applicable rules in the prescribed manner.

“Given that the athlete's positive doping test was not taken during the Olympic Games, the results of the athlete and the results of the team tournament during the Olympic Games are not subject to automatic review.”

ROC says it is taking "comprehensive measures" to keep Olympic gold medal

The ROC statement adds that it is taking "comprehensive measures to protect the rights and interests of the members of the ROC Team, and to keep the honestly won Olympic gold medal."

"The ROC also proceeds from the fact that a full-fledged investigation will be carried out, as a result of which all legal and factual circumstances of what happened will be established."

Russian Figure Skating Federation says it is providing Valieva "necessary comprehensive assistance and support"

The Russian Figure Skating Federation has added an additional part to the ROC statement

"The Russian Figure Skating Federation has no doubts about the honesty and purity of its athlete, will make every effort to clarify the circumstances of the incident and provide the Athlete with the necessary comprehensive assistance and support," the federation has said.

[Elizabeth]

WADA involvement confirmed:

WADA confirms CAS appeal in Valieva case on grounds WADA Code has not been correctly applied

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) press release has just been issued,

The organisation has confirmed its intention to appeal the RUSADA decision to lift Valieva's provisional suspension at CAS on the grounds that the WADA Code "has not been correctly applied in this case."

The WADA statement reiterates that the sample was collected in-competition by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) on December 25 and transported to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Stockholm.

The adverse analytical finding was found on February 7.

She was notified by RUSADA on February 8 and provisionally suspended, with the RUSADA Disciplinary Committee lifting the suspension the following day after a hearing.

[Elizabeth]

Another story on the situation from USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/o ... 745925001/

Russia lifted doping suspension of skater Kamila Valieva, who tested positive in December

BEIJING — A star Russian figure skater is in Olympic limbo following a positive doping test, setting the stage for a dramatic legal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

After days of uncertainty and media reports, the International Testing Agency confirmed Friday that Kamila Valieva, the favorite to win individual gold at the Winter Olympics, tested positive for a banned metabolic agent called trimetazidine and has since been both provisionally suspended and reinstated by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.

The test could ultimately knock Valieva, 15, out of the Games and also impact the results of the team competition, where she helped lead Russia to gold earlier this week.

A final decision on whether Valieva can skate in the women's individual competition, which starts Tuesday, has not yet been reached. And the question has now become the driving force behind an urgent, complex legal battle between the International Olympic Committee and RUSADA.

"We want to expedite this as quickly as possible," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said in a news conference Friday. "It's a legal issue, and legal issues unfortunately can be very, very complicated. But for all those concerned – not just the Russian athlete, but obviously all the athletes concerned in the previous competition – we all need to see as quickly as we can a resolution to this."

Russia says team medal was 'honestly won'

The Russian Olympic Committee defended Valieva in a statement Friday, saying that she has since taken other doping tests – at the European Figure Skating Championships in January and in Beijing during the Olympics – that came back negative.

"(Valieva) has the right to train and take part in competitions in full without restrictions, unless the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes a different decision regarding her status in relation to the Olympic Games," the ROC said, which also described its gold medal in the team figure skating event as "honestly won."

RUSADA did not immediately reply to an email from USA TODAY Sports seeking comment.

Valieva's case is extremely complex, due in part to the timeline of events.

According to the ITA, which oversees the anti-doping program at the Olympics, the sample at issue was collected on December 25 at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in St. Petersburg. A lab in Stockholm, Sweden reported the presence of trimetazidine in the sample to RUSADA on Tuesday – after the conclusion of the team event and before the scheduled medal ceremony that night.

The reason for the delay between the two dates is not immediately clear.

IOC to appeal RUSADA committee's decision

In the 72 hours since, the positive test has triggered a convoluted series of hearings involving multiple organizations at multiple levels of the international sport ecosystem, as detailed by the ITA.

First, RUSADA provisionally suspended Valieva from competing or practicing, because it is required by the World Anti-Doping Agency code to do so. Then, Valieva successfully appealed her suspension before a RUSADA disciplinary committee. That hearing took place Wednesday, which enabled her to practice Thursday and Friday.

Now, it is up to the IOC or another international organization to appeal the decision of that RUSADA disciplinary committee.

The IOC has already said it plans to do so, even though it has yet to receive the full explanation behind the RUSADA committee's decision. The matter will then go to CAS, a Swiss-based court that effectively has the final say on global sports disputes.

"A decision is needed before the next competition the athlete is due to take part in," said the ITA, which will essentially represent the IOC in its appeal.

CAS had not received a formal application for an appeal regarding the Valieva case as of early Friday afternoon in Beijing, according to a CAS spokesperson. WADA spokesperson James Fitzgerald said his organization is not involved at this time.

Now here's the complicated part: The first CAS hearing that is being pursued by the IOC only involves the decision of the RUSADA disciplinary panel to lift Valieva's suspension. It is not about the specifics of Valieva's case.

"The proceedings on the merits of the apparent anti-doping rule violation, including the athlete’s right to request the analysis of the B-sample, will be pursued by RUSADA in due course," the ITA said in the statement.

This means that, if the IOC's appeal is successful, it could lead to a scenario in which Valieva is once again provisionally suspended but then still able to file her own appeal, regarding the specifics of the positive test. That would prompt a separate hearing.

Complicated case involves a minor

It is worth noting that, at 15, Valieva is considered a "protected person" under anti-doping rules, which can lead to lighter penalties and more scrutiny on "athlete support personnel" who might have contributed to the situation.

Then there's also the matter of the team event, where as many as four Olympic figure skating teams are now wondering if or when they will receive their medals. The International Skating Union will not be able to rule on the outcome of the team event until Valieva's case has been resolved.

"I hope that, at least before we leave, we'll be able to get (our team medal)," said Nathan Chen, a member of the U.S. team that won silver. (Japan claimed the bronze.)

Valieva's case comes at a delicate and highly-charged time for both the IOC and Russia, which is not supposed to have a formal presence at these Games as punishment for its previous state-sponsored doping efforts. Russian athletes in Beijing are technically representing the "Russian Olympic Committee" rather than the nation itself.

It is a particularly high-stakes matter given that it involves Valieva, the reigning world champion, and figure skating, a sport that is beloved in Russia. Russian women have won each of the past two Olympics and five of the past six world championships, including a podium sweep at the most recent world championships in March.

[Kevin]

Ok - I am super confused by all these committees. WADA, RUSADA, ITA, CAS, IOC ..... what is the hierarchy here, and why so many convoluted connections?

It's my understanding that RUSADA has been suspended from WADA, for a huge nation-wide doping scandal at the last Olympics, so how in the heck are they able to independently overturn a drug suspension at the Olympic Games????

If this case gets overturned on some technicality, it will be a grievous injustice to all athletes in this competition. Fair sport needs to be upheld, and applying the rules differently to one athlete (perhaps because she is a minor), does not diminish the fact that she has been given an unfair advantage over her competition as far as the rules of fair sports dictate.

Perhaps this is what is driving the push to increase the eligible age in senior women's figure skating from 15 to 17. If doping violations for minors under the age of 16 are not allowed to be disclosed publicly, then that leaves coaches and federations free reign to mess with the metabolisms of young girls, without any public scrutiny, and would definitely offer an explanation of how these young skaters are rising to prominence at super-human levels, only to lose their skills as puberty, and public disclosure of doping violations, become a reality.

I want to say that I am so sorry that a young woman has been forced into this position, and that her Olympic chances have been jeopardized. However, I think her case may make a very different, large, and lasting impact on the sport of figure skating - that being corrective measures taken to ensure there is not abuse of children in this sport. I predict this is just the tip of the iceberg.

[Elizabeth]

As I said in the heading of this thread "it's complicated"

I believe that the ultimate decision is to be made by the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) which has a special court set up in Beijing to deal with issues during the Olympics. The exact issue that is being appealed to the CAS is important, however, in terms of impacts on competition going forward as well as potentially on past results.

A ruling from CAS that has an impact on competition and/or results would be enacted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

ITA, the International Testing Agency, was given responsibility by the IOC for testing issues during the Olympics.

RUSADA, the Russian Anti-doping Agency, has responsibility for issues within their country/for their athletes.

WADA, as its name indicates, is the World Anti-doping Agency.

So, WADA is appealing to CAS the RUSADA decision to lift Valieva's provisional suspension at CAS on the grounds that the WADA Code "has not been correctly applied in this case."

As they used to say on TV "as the stomach turns"....

[Elizabeth]

Meanwhile, Katarina Witt, who certainly knows something about competing under a "controlling" regime/system has expressed her support for the skater caught in the middle of this: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ ... entourage/

Katarina Witt backs Valieva, blames the Russian’s entourage

Figure skating great Katarina Witt backed Russian sensation Kamila Valieva and pointed the finger at her entourage as the 15-year-old practices for her next event at the Beijing Olympics amid reports she tested positive for a banned substance.

Valieva trained twice since Russian media reported on Wednesday she had returned a positive test, with newspapers RBC and Kommersant naming the drug as Trimetazidine, which is typically used to treat angina.

“Those latest terrible olympic skating news, have honestly touched me. Kamila Valieva is a young girl and child prodigy, whose highly difficult performances and grace enchanted the whole world at only 15, a minor, depending on adults and she is not to blame here,” German Witt, an Olympic champion for East Germany in 1984 and 1988, wrote on her Facebook page.

“This scandal is a dramatic turning point for her young and promising career and I sincerely hope that there are enough people by her side to support, to protect and encourage her.”

Witt, 56, insisted that Valieva could not be held responsible for the failed test, pointing her finger at the teenager’s entourage.

“As an athlete, you always follow the advice of your confidants, in this case she probably followed her coach and medical team,” she said.

“It is a shame, and the responsible adults should be banned from the sport forever!!! What they knowingly did to her, if true, cannot be surpassed in inhumanity and makes my athlete’s heart cry infinitely.

“I admire Kamila as a radiant star, who burst into the orbit of the international skating world, and I still very much wish she has come to stay.”

Russia won the team event at the Beijing Olympics on Monday, but the medal ceremony on Wednesday was delayed for legal reasons, with Russian media reporting Valieva had failed a drug test.

[Elizabeth]

The full statement from the International Testing Agency (ITA): https://ita.sport/news/beijing-2022-the ... a-valieva/

The International Testing Agency (ITA), leading the anti-doping program for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, informs about the case of figure skater Kamila Valieva.

First, the ITA stresses that Ms. Kamila Valieva, a member of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) delegation in Beijing, is a minor and therefore a ‘Protected Person’ under the World Anti-Doping Code – this status applies to persons under the age of 16. As such, the parties are not subject to mandatory public disclosure of her name or any case she might be involved in, instead any public disclosure must be proportionate to the facts and circumstances of the case. Seeing that some in the media did not grant her the same protection and have reported widely on the basis of unofficial information following the postponement of the medal ceremony of the figure skating Team Event at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the ITA acknowledges the necessity for official information due to heightened public interest.

To state the facts chronologically, a sample from the athlete was collected under the testing authority and results management authority of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) on 25 December 2021 during the 2022 Russian Figure Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The WADA-accredited laboratory of Stockholm, Sweden, reported that the sample had returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the non-specified prohibited substance trimetazidine (classified as S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Code) on 8 February 2022. Following this, the athlete was provisionally suspended by RUSADA with immediate effect.

Pursuant to Article 15 of the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the decision of RUSADA imposing a provisional suspension automatically prohibited the athlete from participation in all sports during the provisional suspension, including the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

As the sample was collected by RUSADA ahead of the Winter Games, this case is not under the jurisdiction of the IOC and thus not directly managed by the ITA. In line with the IOC Anti-Doping Rules, the ITA immediately informed the athlete that the provisional suspension imposed on her by RUSADA is binding upon the IOC and the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Olympic Winter Games.

Due to the fact that this is not a case under the authority of the IOC and taking into account her abovementioned status as Protected Person, the ITA abstained from publicly disclosing the case following the notification in order to protect the athlete’s identity as a minor and to ensure that all necessary measures for her physical and mental safeguarding could be implemented. All the while all due legal processes were initiated.

The athlete challenged the imposition of the provisional suspension before the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee on 9 February 2022 and a hearing took place on the same day. On the evening of 9 February 2022, the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee decided to lift the athlete’s provisional suspension, thus allowing her to continue her participation in the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The reasoned decision, including the grounds for which the provisional suspension was lifted, will be issued shortly to all concerned parties.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Skating Union (ISU), RUSADA and the IOC have a right to appeal the decision to lift the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The IOC will exercise its right to appeal and not to wait for the reasoned decision by RUSADA, because a decision is needed before the next competition the athlete is due to take part in (Women Single Skating, 15 February 2022).

Following the delegation of the IOC’s anti-doping program in relation to the Olympic Games to the ITA, the ITA will lead the appeal before CAS on behalf of the IOC.

The proceedings on the merits of the apparent anti-doping rule violation, including the athlete’s right to request the analysis of the B-sample, will be pursued by RUSADA in due course.

The decision on the results of the ROC team in the Team Figure Skating event can be taken by the ISU only after a final decision on the full merits of the case has been taken. The procedure, which is initiated currently, can only address the provisional suspension.

Given that the legal process for this case is not finally concluded, the ITA will not provide any additional comments. Any further information on the case will be issued in form of a public statement.

[Elizabeth]

A statement from the Russian Anti-doping Agency (RAA/RUSADA) says the delay in reporting Valieva test result due to COVID-related staffing shortages in lab that did the analysis.:


Note particularly that RUSADA said that they have "initiated an investigation into the athlete's personnel" due to the athlete(Valieva)'s status as a protected person. That is highlighted in the news report from TASS, the Russian News Agency: https://tass.com/sport/1401871

The headline:

Russia’s anti-doping body RUSADA launches probe in regard to Valieva’s assisting staff

[kittykins]

Ok - I am super confused by all these committees. WADA, RUSADA, ITA, CAS, IOC ..... what is the hierarchy here, and why so many convoluted connections?

It's my understanding that RUSADA has been suspended from WADA, for a huge nation-wide doping scandal at the last Olympics, so how in the heck are they able to independently overturn a drug suspension at the Olympic Games????

If this case gets overturned on some technicality, it will be a grievous injustice to all athletes in this competition. Fair sport needs to be upheld, and applying the rules differently to one athlete (perhaps because she is a minor), does not diminish the fact that she has been given an unfair advantage over her competition as far as the rules of fair sports dictate.

Perhaps this is what is driving the push to increase the eligible age in senior women's figure skating from 15 to 17. If doping violations for minors under the age of 16 are not allowed to be disclosed publicly, then that leaves coaches and federations free reign to mess with the metabolisms of young girls, without any public scrutiny, and would definitely offer an explanation of how these young skaters are rising to prominence at super-human levels, only to lose their skills as puberty, and public disclosure of doping violations, become a reality.

I want to say that I am so sorry that a young woman has been forced into this position, and that her Olympic chances have been jeopardized. However, I think her case may make a very different, large, and lasting impact on the sport of figure skating - that being corrective measures taken to ensure there is not abuse of children in this sport. I predict this is just the tip of the iceberg.

You made some very good points Kevin. I also wondered about the age requirement being changed in the future!

Thanks so much for all the information Elizabeth!! It really helps to know exactly what is going on.

Do they really expect that in a competition as high profile as the Olympics, given Russia's history, that her identity would be kept a secret!??!! Perhaps its' better that her identity is made known in a way, as it exposes a corrupt system that abuses younger skaters. I do agree with Katrina though and I feel for Valieva. When she appealed, we all know this was not her appealing in actuality.

Now if the B sample comes back negative would that clear her of any wrong doing, assuming that the sample A must have been tampered with? Could a substance show up in only one sample? These are just hypothetical questions that I realize we will likely not be able to answer. Does anyone remember past cases when the B sample was looked at and it was clear? I know they did test the B sample in Ben Johnson's case and we all know how that turned out. It was so bad for him in terms of press and consequences, that I think any Canadian would think twice, or even three times, before even considering cheating.

I'm quite disgusted that it took so long for this to come to light and ridiculously being blamed on COVID affects. I do think the RUSADA made an error in lifting her suspension if they were wanting the authorities to view them as an honest federation. If they had a no tolerance policy themselves, one would think they really are trying to be above board. As it is, in many ways it exposes their true motivation to win the Olympic gold medal at ANY cost. I hope this is appealed successfully so that she is not able to compete and the Russians do not keep the gold medal in the Team Event. All this appealing etc. should in many ways not be allowed imho as a positive drug test should just automatically mean she is disqualified. I suppose it is to prevent foul play, but sometimes I think the guilty get way too many rights or second chances when they should not.

[Elizabeth]

In a bit of a shocking turn of events, at least to me, the ISU is going to join the appeal and ask for the reinstatement of the suspension!!

[Kevin]

Wow - thanks Elizabeth for keeping us informed, in a very clear fashion, as things unfold. Never a dull moment.

[Elizabeth]

The full statement from the International Testing Agency (ITA) delegated to deal with testing issues by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Beijing games:



++++++++++++++++++++++++

The timelines are now set for the Court for Arbitration in Sport:



As I understand it, the appeal is specifically based on the "rapid" lifting of the suspension by RUSADA which allows Valieva to compete in the individual event on Tuesday.

[Elizabeth]

This whole issue is not just about a 15-year old skater.

A couple of relevant articles as we await the hearing and results:

• https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... -2022-case
• https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... on-beijing

This whole situation could go on for quite a long time, long after the actual Olympic competition is complete.

[Elizabeth]

The lengthy actual hearing of the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) is done and the results will be released about 1 a.m. ET on February 14th according to this press release:



A reminder about the CAS ruling on Valieva - this only pertains to her competing in the women’s program/suspension.

This has nothing to do with team event and placement. That could still be a while/probably will be a while.

[kittykins]

Thanks for the update. Wow, they worked right into the night and may be up all night deliberating, necessary of course due to the short time line, but yikes!!.

[Elizabeth]

The ruling indicates that there will be NO provisional suspension of Valieva - she will be able to compete in the Women's Event which begins on Tuesday.

The ruling seems to have hinged on Kamila Valieva’s age and the delay in the test result being returned.






This ruling has nothing to do with whether or not there was an actual doping violation, as explained in this article, that remains to be investigated: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... ijing-2022

[Elizabeth]

The reaction from the CEO of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee:

[Kevin]

I watched the press conference. I'm in disbelief. The takeaway here is that it's perfectly ok to dope a minor, because they are "protected" and won't face sanctions. A very bad day for sport, and for the safety of children.

[Elizabeth]

I watched the press conference. I'm in disbelief. The takeaway here is that it's perfectly ok to dope a minor, because they are "protected" and won't face sanctions. A very bad day for sport, and for the safety of children.

INDEED! I am hoping that there will actually BE an investigation into her "supporters" (also based on her age) but I'm not holding my breath.

All the more reason to move the senior competitive age upward, as is being considered.

[fred]

Everyone is ignoring a strong possability that the whole thing is a frame up, and there never was any doping at all.
First, under the circumstances of everybody watching the Russian team like Eagles, what would be the stupidest thing that they could do. That would be to give drugs to Kamila when she was competing at the Russian national championships. Do we really think they are that stupid? I don't.
Second, Kamila had not tested positive at the Beijing Games and suspending her from the competition would cause “irreparable harm in these circumstances.” --according to the CAS.
Third, how come Kamila came to test positive for *trace amounts* a drug that many believe is not performance enhancing? This when she tested negative in all other tests, before & after that test, including at the Olympic games.

The U.S. is screaming for maximum punishments which underlies their motivation to win at all costs, not matter who else it hurts. I was dismayed that out Canadian team has also turned against the Russians. It seems clear to me that this is all a frame up and a rather disgusting one at that, as frame ups go. There is a parallel betwen this and the case of Julian Assange. Both involve innocent people being punished by the U.S. governmental machinery. Both need to be free.
In particular, the statement that they will not hold a medal ceremony *if* Kamila wins. That is prejudicial in form and in content.Everything anti-Russian has been enhanced by Westerm propaganda at this particular time and things get more intense in the Ukraine. "The first victim of war is truth!"

[kittykins]

I'm sorry Fred, but I'm going to have to disagree. Those of us who have been watching skating (and other sports) for YEARS have seen a pattern. No one is against Russia and honestly they've brought problems on themselves time and time again. There is a REASON why Russia is not competing under their flag and one wonders if the penalties were strict enough. No one who competes dishonestly thinks they will get caught and it's very much under the radar in 99% of the cases. In this case she had the drug earlier it seems so that it helped her get to the position where she is now. Conveniently it was not detected for 6 weeks. It doesn't need to "make sense" because this type of unfair play has gone on for a very long time. As we are finding, they also get away with it which is probably why they keep doing it.

Also, the drug in question has to be performance enhancing. When people have angina, they need this medication to get more blood flow and therefore oxygen to the heart. In a healthy person this would be a stimulant or performance enhancing. It's been on the banned list since 2014. Even if people say it's not in her system now, it would have helped her as she trained and learned the quad jumps. There is no indication that she has a heart condition where she needs this medication or she would have applied for a medical exemption. There is a history with the use of trimetazidine particularly among Russian athletes. It didn't turn out well for them either, so it's unfortunate younger athletes get special treatment.

I have to say I am very disappointed in the ruling. They think they are creating "less harm" for her, but this young woman needs to get out of this huge media circus. It would have died down, people would blame her coaches due to her age, and she would have been able to start over. As it is, she is going to be on the hot seat even longer and criticism of her will be even more prolonged. I mean what if people hold up signs saying cheater go home or yell things at her from the stands or as she goes to the rink?! How is that better for her?! This is a very sad day for the Olympic movement. Well, it took 2 years for Becky Scott to get her gold after the gold and silver "winners" were found to be doping. I fear this will go on for a long time. As for her team being investigated, I agree with you Elizabeth and think they won't face any sanctions at all. I agree that upping the age will be necessary. It's just so sad that the athletes competing honestly are being cheated out of the wonderful Olympic experience of receiving their medals at the Olympics. Sale & Pelletier were very fortunate to receive theirs at the actual Olympics because of the judge scandal, but that doesn't happen typically. The Olympics are ideally to be about fair sport.

I don't know if I can watch Valieva skate.

The Athlete's Oath is as follows:
“We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality. Together we stand in solidarity and commit ourselves to sport without doping, without cheating, without any form of discrimination. We do this for the honour of our teams, in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and to make the world a better place through sport.”

[Kevin]

Everyone is ignoring a strong possability that the whole thing is a frame up, and there never was any doping at all.
First, under the circumstances of everybody watching the Russian team like Eagles, what would be the stupidest thing that they could do. That would be to give drugs to Kamila when she was competing at the Russian national championships. Do we really think they are that stupid? I don't.
Second, Kamila had not tested positive at the Beijing Games and suspending her from the competition would cause “irreparable harm in these circumstances.” --according to the CAS.
Third, how come Kamila came to test positive for *trace amounts* a drug that many believe is not performance enhancing? This when she tested negative in all other tests, before & after that test, including at the Olympic games.

The U.S. is screaming for maximum punishments which underlies their motivation to win at all costs, not matter who else it hurts. I was dismayed that out Canadian team has also turned against the Russians. It seems clear to me that this is all a frame up and a rather disgusting one at that, as frame ups go. There is a parallel betwen this and the case of Julian Assange. Both involve innocent people being punished by the U.S. governmental machinery. Both need to be free.
In particular, the statement that they will not hold a medal ceremony *if* Kamila wins. That is prejudicial in form and in content.Everything anti-Russian has been enhanced by Westerm propaganda at this particular time and things get more intense in the Ukraine. "The first victim of war is truth!"

If we just stick to facts Fred, it's quite clear:

1. It doesn't matter whether some people believe trimetazidine is not performance enhancing. It is on the WADA list of banned substances, therefore it is illegal for use by competing athletes. This is known to all Federations and coaches. If true, it is an undeniable violation of the code.

2. When a competition is held in Russia, it is RUSADA (the Russian national doping agency) who is responsible for administering the doping, and handling the results. This is the same organization which has been suspended from WADA for running a systemic, nation-wide doping scheme, uncovered at the Sochi Games. My next comment is not factual, but editorial in response to your question. It would seem this would be the "safest" place to push the envelope with how close to the competition they may have been giving drugs, because RUSADA was in control over how those tests were handled. There has been some information that RUSADA may have intentionally delayed or "slow-walked" her tests results.

3. Because of timing, there has not been time for her to request that her B-sample to be tested to confirm the finding. When that test has been completed, it will confirm whether the first test is accurate, or if there is an anomaly and possible error in the finding. It is for this reason that the IOC is delaying the awarding of medals, until it is clear whether the athletes they are awarding them to are clean. This will eliminate the need to strip the athletes of these medals later, if the doping is confirmed.

4. The decision that was made, was not a decision on whether she was legitimately doping. It was based on the fact that the timing of the release of the results did not give her proper time to appeal, or to call for her B-sample to be tested to clear her. Therefore, there is not time to complete her appeal process before her competition. If they did not allow her to compete, and then it was discovered later that she was actually clean, then there would be massive lawsuits filed for prohibiting her from winning the gold medal. It is really a decision based on a failure to complete the process.

5. Once the process has been completed, and the B-sample tested, there will be more hearings to determine whether her results will be allowed to stand - hence the delay in handing out medals until the case has been decided.

6. Filipp Shvetsky, the doctor (reportedly an anesthesiologist) for the Russian Figure Skating Team was suspended from 2007-2010 for anti-doping violations involving several Russian rowers.

If you look at all of this together, it is VERY suspicious and requires a thorough investigation. The same would be true if this controversy were swirling around an American skater, a Canadian skater, or any skater of any nationality. It is the premise of clean, fair sport. Standing up for that process is neither predjucial, nor propoganda. It's simply the rule of sport which all must follow or face consequences.

[Elizabeth]

AMEN, Kevin. Thank you for your very clear and reasoned explanation.

Here's a link to the article that confirms that the IOC will not award any medals at the Beijing Olympics that involve Kamila Valieva:
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... es-valieva

Clearly, the IOC does not want to "take back" any medals any medals if the ongoing investigation and appeals prove an anti-doping violation.
This is very sad for those who were declared to have won those medals in the Team Event and will not get to have the ceremony they deserve at the Olympic venue.

[Elizabeth]

At the request of the IOC, the ISU has announced that, if Valieva finishes in the top 24 after the short program, there will be 25 skaters advancing to the free skate, rather than the expected 24: https://isu.org/isu-news/news/145-news/ ... teParam=15

14 February 2022

Lausanne / Switzerland

Based on the IOC Executive Board Decision, the IOC requests the International Skating Union (ISU) for reasons of fairness to allow a 25th competitor to participate in the Women Single Skating Free Skating of the competition on February 17, in case Ms. Valieva is ranked in the first 24 of the Short Pogram on February 15. Consequently, in line with the 2021 ISU Special Regulations Single & Pair Skating/Ice Dance, Rule 400, paragraph A.1., the following will apply for the Women Free Skating, scheduled to be held on February 17, 2022 at 18.00 hours Beijing time.

“Based on the result of the Short Program and subject to Ms. Valieva ranking in the first 24 of the Short Program, the Competitors placed 1-25 (instead of 24) in Women Single Skating shall qualify for the Free Skating. By analogy with Rule 520, paragraph 4, the warm-up groups for the Women Free Skating will be 7 Skaters for the first group and 6 Skaters for groups 2, 3 and 4.”