Beijing (AP) – Figure skater Kamila Valiewa is on the starting list for the women’s Olympic short program on Tuesday in Beijing, despite the ongoing sports court proceedings against her because of a positive doping test.
The 15-year-old exceptional runner from Russia is listed in 26th place out of 30 starters on the list that has now been published. However, Valiyeva has to worry about taking part in the Olympic medal fight and has to wait for the judgment of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is announced for Monday.
Among others, the International Olympic Committee appealed to the Cas against the lifting of Valiyeva’s provisional suspension. The European champion had tested positive for the banned drug trimetazidine on December 25, 2021. The Russian anti-doping agency Rusada banned her after receiving the result on February 8. A day later, the agency’s disciplinary committee lifted the suspension.
Prior to this decision, Valiyeva had already led the Russian team to Olympic victory in the team competition. Despite the doping whirlwind and the legal dispute, she continued to train in Beijing – even on Sunday.
IOC: Medal award remains open for the time being
In the Valiyeva doping scandal, no quick decision on the awarding of medals in the Olympic team competition is to be expected. “The case in its entirety will be heard at a later date,” said Mark Adams, spokesman for the International Olympic Committee, in Beijing. Adams affirmed that the ad hoc commission of the International Court of Arbitration for Sports will only judge the right to start for the 15-year-old Russian in the upcoming women’s singles.
The parties to the dispute are expected to hear the Cas verdict on Monday. The women’s singles starts on Tuesday. Adams revealed that further possible consequences for Valiyeva and those around her would only be decided later. “The wheels of justice grind pretty slowly. We have to follow the process,” Adams said.
IOC Olympic Director Christophe Dubi was particularly relaxed with regard to the consequences of the case for the Winter Games. “The games are the games. It’s clear that when there are so many athletes and so many competitions, a variety of problems arise,” he said.