Russia's bombshell findings on Olympic teen Kamila Valieva
The 15-year-old superstar was caught up in a doping scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency has found Winter Olympic figure skater star Kamila Valieva was at 'no fault' for her failed drug test during the Olympics. WADA said in a statement that RUSADA had determined that although Valieva had committed an anti-doping rule violation, she bore "no fault or negligence" for it.
Despite the finding, WADA has revealed they are concerned by the finding and 'will not will not hesitate to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’ over the decision. WADA has been calling for a four-year ban after the Olympics.
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Valieva was 15 years old during the Beijing Olympics in 2022 when she won gold in the team competition. However, after she won gold, it was revealed she had failed a drug sample for trimetazidine from two months earlier.
The teenager claimed the positive test was due to a mix-up with her grandfather's heart medication.
During the Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had decided no medals for the team figure skating event would be presented until Valieva's case had been resolved.
The United States took silver behind the Russians, with Japan getting the bronze and Canada placing fourth.
"We thank WADA for their commitment to reviewing this issue and moving the process forward as expeditiously as possible."
The RUSADA ruling also angered Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), who urged WADA and the International Skating Union (ISU) to immediately appeal the decision.
"WADA and the ISU have to appeal this decision, for the sake of the credibility of the anti-doping system and the rights of all athletes," Tygart said in a statement to Reuters.
Kamila Valieva at the Winter Olympics
Valieva left the ice in tears in Beijing after performing her routine in the women's figure skating short program after the scandal.
The immense pressure and scrutiny appeared to get the better of the 15-year-old Russian at the time.
At the time, questions were asked about introducing an age-limit for competing in Winter Olympics sports due to the case.
"I absolutely believe that there should be an age limit," said American Mariah Bell who skated in the women's singles on Tuesday.
The nine skaters who featured for the US and the seven who competed for Japan in the team event went home without receiving their medals because of Valieva's drug case.
with Reuters
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