Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva's doping case reopens

The doping case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva is currently being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the next two days. This is the latest development in an ongoing saga that began during last year's Winter Olympics. After the figure skating team event at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, it was revealed that Valieva, who was 15 at the time, had tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication known for its endurance-enhancing effects.

Displayed in a case at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo., are nine empty boxes representing members of the U.S. figure skating team. Last year, these talented skaters secured second place in the Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, due to an ongoing doping case involving a Russian skater, the team has not yet received their well-deserved medals. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski/AP

US skater Vincent Zhou left in limbo over his Olympic medal after Kamila Valievas positive doping case drags on

Valieva's team, competing under the Russian Olympic Committee, emerged as the winners, surpassing both the USA and Japan; however, no medals were later granted.

According to a commission from the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in December 2022, Valieva was found not to be at fault for the violation. The skater has additionally claimed that the drug was inadvertently consumed.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Skating Union (ISU) have appealed RUSADA's ruling, including a portion of the decision that was appealed by RUSADA itself.

In February, CAS announced that RUSADA has revised its position and is now advocating for a punishment for Valieva that "could range from a reprimand to a more limited penalty."

The CAS hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, was temporarily halted in September due to arbitrators requesting additional documentation. CAS announced that the hearing would reconvene on November 9 and 10, 2023, in Lausanne, during which the evidentiary proceedings will be finalized and the parties' closing submissions will be heard. Following this, the Panel will deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award, which will contain its final decision.

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Hear athletes' reaction as Kamila Valieva cleared to compete

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- Source:

CNN

Sports analyst Christine Brennan predicts that it may take several months for a final decision to be made, leaving the figure skating team event athletes at the Winter Olympics without their deserved medals, thus leading to a controversial situation.

US skater Vincent Zhou described the situation as "surreal" due to the multiple layers of complexity and absurdity surrounding the case. He expressed surprise that it has taken so long to resolve what seemed like a straightforward matter. Zhou told CNN Sports Don Riddell, "It still feels just as surreal as it did from the beginning."

In September, CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb told CNN Sport that the judicial body cannot be blamed for the duration of Valievas case.