Controversy surrounding figure skater Valieva – was she doped?

The 15-year-old Kamila Valieva is considered an exceptional talent in the Olympics. The Russian was celebrated worldwide for her freestyle figure skating. But now, according to Russian media reports, a doping scandal is looming.

If the media reports are confirmed, it would be the first major doping case this year: It’s about 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva, who only won gold with her team on Monday. She had enchanted observers and judges with her historic freestyle. Russian newspapers write that she tested positive for the stimulant trimetazidine before the games. The day after her victory, the Russian dropped out – according to the IOC because of an “open legal issue”.

The IOC was initially cautious and described the reports of a doping case in figure skating as “speculation”. “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on an ongoing legal process,” said Mark Adams, spokesman for the International Olympic Committee. The award ceremony planned for Tuesday in the competition had previously been postponed without further explanation. “We will not comment on all possible speculation,” Adams said. He generally pointed out that the IOC had transferred all doping tests and the decision on possible sanctions to the International Test Agency (Ita) and the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

The industry portal “insidethegames” initially reported on the case, and the Russian newspapers Kommersant and RBC also named their own sources. According to RBC, Valieva, who was also considered a favorite for the singles competition (from Tuesday), was found to have had a “small amount” of the drug, which is prescribed to prevent angina.

Substance was detected in a Russian bobsledder in 2018

At the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, the same substance was discovered in the Russian bobsledder Nadescha Sergeyeva, which, according to the anti-doping agency WADA, can increase endurance and blood flow. Chinese swim star Sun Yang was also caught using the drug in 2014 and banned for three months.

According to WADA rules, Valieva is classified as a “protected person” because of her age. She could therefore be punished less severely than doped adult athletes. According to “insidethegames”, entire teams of lawyers are currently dealing with the case.

Kamila Valieva: The 15-year-old enchanted spectators in the figure skating competition – now a doping scandal is threatening. (Source: imago images)

Putin had sharply criticized sanctions

The Russian team is participating in Beijing under the name of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), the flag and national anthem are banned, as was the case at the Tokyo 2021 Summer Games. However, Russian athletes are not generally banned. They may participate as “neutral athletes” under certain conditions. Russia was banned from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi because of the massive doping scandal.

President Vladimir Putin had again sharply criticized the sanctions before the start of the Winter Games and denied a state-supported doping program. “The practice of collective punishment for offenses committed by individuals is unacceptable,” Putin said. “Russia is and remains committed to traditional Olympic values.”

First doping case – Iranian skier suspended

Before the reports about Valieva became known, the first doping case of the Beijing Games had become known. Iranian alpine skier Hossein Saveh Shemshaki has tested positive in a doping control. As the International Testing Agency (Ita) announced on Thursday night (Chinese time), he was checked outside of competition on Monday.

Hossein Saveh Shemshaki (here at the 2010 Olympics): The Iranian ski racer was convicted of doping. (Source: Gepa Pictures/imago images)

The athlete was informed of the case and suspended until clarification. Shemshaki will not be allowed to participate in any competitions, training, mentoring or other activities during the Winter Games, the statement said. The 36-year-old was in Vancouver in 2010 and in Sochi in 2014 – in Russia he achieved his best result with 31st place in the slalom.

According to Ita, the athlete has the right to challenge the imposition of the provisional ban before the Arbitral Tribunal of the International Court of Arbitration for Sports and to request an analysis of the B sample.

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