That Russian sport is a world power is a truth backed by history. International sanctions for the invasion of Vladimir Putin in Ukraine they hit that country federally, though not so much its athletes. But this time it was under control Kamila Valevathe 16-year-old gem who wowed with her art in figure ice skating at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. This Monday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (AMA) called for a penalty of four years for the young woman doping.
WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) to punish Valieva, who tested positive after winning team gold with her country at those Games, aged just 15.
The institution asks that she be deprived of that medal and of the results obtained starting from 25 December 2022, the date on which the Russian tested positive in St. Petersburg for the use of trimetazidine.
The substance found in Valieva’s body during the national championships was for a drug that is prescribed to adults with angina and is on the list of prohibited substances.
WADA, which had given a deadline of November 4, accused the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) of having taken too long to reach a decision on the matter.
Knowing the positive, RUSADA had suspended Valieva, but subsequently, after the appeal of the skater, it revoked the suspension and it allowed him to continue competing in the Games.
The AMA and the International Olympic Committee they immediately appealed against that decision of RUSADA before the ad hoc division of the CAS, but it was dismissed on 17 February.
The Stockholm laboratory, which RUSADA did not notify of the case at the time, informed the parties of the positive on February 8, already in full swing of the Games, the day after Russia won gold in the team competition, with the participation of the minor
Valieva, unanimously considered the new tsarina of her sport, made headlines around the world when she performed a quadruple jump on ice for the first time in history in Beijing, although in individual competitions she felt the pressure and managed to finish only fourth.
Due to state doping, the Russian national team had competed significantly downsized in the previous Winter Games (2018), while in Beijing it participated with the full team, but without anthem or flag due to sanctions against the country.
The Russian Olympic Committee team won 32 medals in the Chinese capital: six gold, twelve silver and 14 bronze.
The Valieva case, top secret
RUSADA ignored international requests to know its investigation into the Valieva case and made it clear that the entire trial would be confidential and that will not publish a verdict.
“In strict accordance with the principles of international and Russian anti-doping rules, and taking into account the nature and circumstances of the case, RUSADA does not intend to announce the hearing date, sentence or other details of the case.” .
RUSADA referred to the skater’s status as a “protected person” under the anti-doping rules, a status that applied to Valieva, since she was under 16 at the time she submitted the sample.
World Anti-Doping Agency rules state that public disclosure in cases involving a protected person is optional, while publication of a verdict is mandatory for most cases in Olympic sports.
RUSADA said in February it was investigating Valieva’s entourage, in accordance with international standards on doping cases involving a protected person. The youth coach is Ether Tutberidzehistoric coach of Russian skaters who have distinguished themselves worldwide.
Source: Clarin
