Russian Figure Skater Kamila Valieva Cleared for Beijing Games Amid Doping Controversy

Kamila Valieva is cleared for the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

On Monday (February 14), the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that the 15-year-old Russian skating star would be permitted to compete in the short program of the women’s single skating competition, per CNN.

The decision comes after it was reported she had tested positive for a banned drug, putting her participation in the event in jeopardy.

Click inside to read more…

Kamila tested positive for a substance called Trimetazidine, a heart medication. The CAS cited the skater’s status as a “protected person” (a minor) in making the decision.

“The panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete at the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in the circumstances,” CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said in a statement to the Associated Press.

The International Olympic Committee added that if Kamila does score in the top three places in the women’s figure skating event, which is set for Tuesday, there would be no medal ceremony. The IOC also said that a celebration wouldn’t be “appropriate” given the circumstances.

The ruling could complicate the United States’ standing in the Olympics, as Team USA will now leave Beijing unsure if they won silver or gold. Last week, the U.S. took the silver in team figure skating, while Russia won gold and Japan claimed bronze.

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, told CNN that the organization was “disappointed by the message this decision sends.”

“We know this case is not yet closed, and we call on everyone in the Olympic Movement to continue to fight for clean sport on behalf of athletes around the world,” Sarah said.

Back in 2019, Russia was banned from international competition, including the Olympics, for four years over a doping controversy. Athletes from Russia who were not implicated in doping have been competing under the Russian Olympic Committee.

Earlier this month, Kamila made history by landing a quad in the Olympic games. Find out more…