Russian figure skating star Kamila Vallieva (Russian anti-doping Agency, RUSADA) found her guilty of doping in December 2021. Her suspension was a result. But, she appealed to the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, and Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Russian figure skater tested positive for trimetazidine in December 2021
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Concerned by Russia’s decision to ban Kamila Valieva, figure skater at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the WADA is worried. At the Beijing Olympics, an athlete was tested positive for the drug trimetazidine.
Trimetazidine, or TMZ, is a medication that is taken by athletes to treat angina, a condition marked by reduced blood flow to the heart.
This medication is also used for endurance sports. This is because it improves blood flow to the heart.
The World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) banned trimetazidine in 2014 after it was found to be a stimulant. Valieva is not the first Russian athlete to test positive for this substance.
Nadezhda Sereva, a Russian bobsledder, was also disqualified at the Pyeongchang Olympics 2018.
As a result of the positive test, the World Anti-Doping Agency demanded that the International Skating Union (ISU) suspend Valieva for four years. WADA announced that it would appeal to Russia’s anti-doping authority.
Russian anti-doping agency suspends her
Kamila Vasilieva, a Russian Anti-Doping Agency suspended the figure skater aged 15 who used the banned drug trimetazidine from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
While it doesn’t mean that she won’t compete in the women’s singles competition at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the announcement is not expected to have much impact on the figure skating season.
Valieva is a world-class female figure skater. She won the world championships five times. It was her outstanding performance in this week’s team event that won her the title for leading her country.
Many people were shocked to hear that Valieva had a positive test. However, Russian anti-doping agencies warned her about the possible consequences of doing so before she did.
The athlete continued competing in Russian national competitions.
According to the World Anti-Doping Code, minors can receive special protections from some penalties. For athletes below 16, the rules can be more complex.
Cas (or Court of Arbitration for Sport) is a Swiss court that has jurisdiction over international sport.
It can often take months to process cases. Therefore, Valieva may already have a case decided.
World Anti-Doping Agency refers cases to Court of Arbitration for Sport
The World Anti-Doping Agency sent Kamila Valieva’s doping case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAS has a specialist in sports law and is independent. It’s located in Lausanne Switzerland.
Valieva was a member of the Beijing Olympics team that won gold. She tested positive for banned substances. RUSADA gave a temporary suspension. After the event, she was to take a doping screening.
However, RUSADA said it would not release the results of the investigation. The International Skating Federation appealed.
WADA then sent RUSADA a formal notification. They also threatened to take the matter directly to CAS. RUSADA, despite these threats, has not made any progress in the case.
The case was heard by the CAS in February. They rejected the appeal. Court upheld decision by RUSADA’s disciplinary panel. Valieva now awaits a verdict.
While the CAS panel didn’t specifically mention any important facts, they did point out the Osaka rule. This rule prohibits athletes suspended for anti-doping rule violations from participating in the Olympic Games.
Appeal to RUSADA ruling
Kamila Valieva’s doping scandal has led to a huge legal fight. WADA has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against Rusada’s ruling.
The international anti-doping agency is concerned by the fact that the ruling found the Russian to have “no fault or negligence” in the case.
CAS has ordered a three-member Panel of arbitrators to decide the matter. The panel will issue an Arbitral Award. It will also set procedural directions.
WADA asked the CAS for a ban on Valieva of four years starting at the date the decision was made.
It has also said it is concerned about the way that Russia is processing the doping case. A case can take several months to process.
As it stands, no medals were awarded at the Olympics due to the doping controversy. After several fall during the free skating, Valieva was not able to claim her gold medal. Overall, she finished fourth.
