Kamila Valieva: Russian figure skater cleared by RUSADA, WADA to review doping decision and consider appeal
CNN
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Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) finds figure skater Kamila Valieva The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) violated anti-doping rules but there was no “fault or negligence” to the violation.
The ruling effectively clears Valieva of wrongdoing and offers no punishment other than stripping her of her test results as of December 25, 2021 – the day she took the sample.
The decision taken by the court of RUSADA will allow Russia Olympic Commission (ROC) to win the gold medal won in the team figure skating event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
CNN has reached out to RUSADA for comment.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released a statement implying that it is likely to appeal the ruling.
“WADA noted this finding and requested a copy of the full reasoned decision, which will be reviewed with the case file to determine whether the award is consistent with the terms of World Anti-Doping Code or not,” WADA said in the report.
“However, based on elements of the case with which WADA is familiar, the Agency is concerned about the finding of ‘no error or negligence’ and will not hesitate to exercise its right of appeal to the Arbitral Tribunal. Sports, as fit.
“After fully reviewing RUSADA’s decision, WADA will consider what the next steps will be to have the matter resolved as quickly as possible and without further delay.”
Travis Tygart, CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), said in a statement to CNN: “WADA and ISU [International Skating Union] must appeal this decision, because of the credibility of the anti-doping system and the rights of all athletes.
“The world cannot accept this self-serving decision by RUSADA, which has recently been the main tool of Russian state-sponsored and non-compliant doping fraud. Justice demands a full, fair, public hearing outside of Russia.”
Valieva, now 16, was suspended by RUSADA a day after she guided the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to victory in the team event in Beijing, where she became the first woman to make the jump four legs in the Winter Olympics.
She tested positive for banned substances – heart drugs trimetazidinecan increase stamina – in December 2021. But the results of the failed drug trial in December only came to light during the Olympics when it was analyzed and reported to RUSADA.
Valieva did not publicly explain the positive test result.
Team USA finished second in the team event in Beijing, Japan third and Canada fourth. Due to the doping controversy, no medal ceremony was held during the Olympics.
CNN has reached out to ISU and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for comment.
In a statement to CNN, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Beijing Olympics, it is very important that figure skating team athletes compete in Beijing gets the solution it deserves.
“We thank WADA for their commitment to looking into this matter and making this process as fast as possible.”
