Kamila Valieva: Anti-doping Case and Follow-ups

[yume]

I’m all for Raducan getting her medal back, but pseudoephedrine did go back on the banned substance list.

I wonder if they retroactively banned all those who competed and tested posutive when it was unbanned.
If not, that means that kind of thing is a matter of luck or WADA's mood. How a substance can do that ping pong? On the list, off the list, then again on the list.

 

[Amei]

From my understanding, WADA rules state that a positive doping test has to be disclosed immediately to the public. An exception is made for Protected Athletes (including, in this case, a minor). Unfortunately, when Kamila’s name was not released (and with her being the only Protected Athlete on the ROC team), basic process of elimination means it was Kamila. There was simply no protecting her identity when no adult skaters’ names were released. Ironically, this would not be the case if Kamila hadn’t skated both segments. If Anna or Sasha had skated one, nobody would know which minor athlete were the “guilty party”, for lack of a better word.

Minor parties are only athletes under 16, as Trusova and Shcherbakova are 17, their names would have been released

 

[NaVi]

One thing I found really weird recently is that Anna posted that she woke up and was in an elevator at 3AM when they had a practice at 6AM. I think that was the same day(or the day before) Morisi posted about souvenirs from doping control. I can't help but think that everyone from TT went through doping control immediately after the results were found out.

 

[Amei]

Do we definitely know that this rumor had no basis? Because Dance starts in a few hours, and I really don’t want to see any more funny business.

If he tested positive we would know by now

 

[Amei]

One thing I found really weird recently is that Anna posted that she woke up and was in an elevator at 3AM when they had a practice at 6AM. I think that was the same day(or the day before) Morisi posted about souvenirs from doping control. I can't help but think that everyone from TT went through doping control immediately after the results were found out.

Well they are tested daily for covid so it could be that testing that resulted in her waking up at 3am, but I'm fine if it was for doping control testing, Trusova and Shcherbakova are highly likely to medal, i want them to be able to not have their medals distorted by a positive test of a teammate as much as possible

 

[Certified cLutz]

Minor parties are only athletes under 16, as Trusova and Shcherbakova are 17, their names would have been released

Ah, so there was really no way to keep Kamila safe then, in this case. I feel so bad for her…

 

[skatedreamer]

Its not necessarily an admission of guilt, they are suggesting that the findings were withheld from them and was released a moment to hurt them and their skater the most. You have to admit the timing is suspicious that it literally didn't get reported until the day after the Team Event.

You're right; I see now that the ROC is blaming the testing facility. The first time I read the article, it sounded like the ROC president was saying that the ROC had held back the results...which seemed very strange.

 

[millie]

Forget about Eteri and her cronies, where were the minor’s parents in all this? Did they give permission to the the minor’s doctors and those that were caring for her, permission to administer her these drugs. Theses are serious health altering drugs that are given to people with Angina. It is not only for the safety of her now but what lingering effects will it have on this minor. If this allegation is true, someone should be taken up for the abuse of a minor while in their care. Also, think about all those girl skaters, that have accomplished what they do on the ice without drugs being administered to them. If you are going to play, play fair or nothing at all. It’s disheartening to see this. I have been a figure skating fan since 2004 and there are always a few bad apples that spoils the whole bunch. It’s the same people over and over. Cheaters, cheaters always wins, until they get caught. From the mouths of babes “Nan, she’s skating as if she was a robot”….disclaimer….innocent until proven guilty….

 

[prorussian fan]

Some points I would like to mention:
1. Athletes are required to go through the mixed zone, so Kami had no choice but to face that corridor of journalists.
2. It doesn't make any sense for Eteri to make any statement, the case is already in court and anything she says can be used against her.
3. The next step is to request the analysis of the B sample, which could confirm or refute the adverse result of the A sample.

4. RUSADA obviously relies on the team's statements that the ingestion was accidental so I am lifting the suspension.

5. Are there really people who think that Eteri and TT are responsible for all this? They are doing their job with the girls, if they were guilty I think they would not be as calm as they look in practice.

6. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if someone (outside of TT) contaminated something Kamila ingested near Nationals and thus the adverse result.

7. Stop dragging Anna and Sasha into this scandal, they have spent more than three seasons in the elite with a clean career, going through multiple tests in and out of competition (including the December tests of the nationals). There is no regime in TT and there is no such doping in the team.

 

[icybear]

this some qanon level eteri conspiracy

Would you rather believe Kamila brought this drug herself on some black market website and that Eteri is a sweet clean angel

 

[Amei]

Ah, so there was really no way to keep Kamila safe then, in this case. I feel so bad for her…

And again I'm going to say the problem with ambiguity would have resulted in Trusova and Shcherbakova being speculated about as well (more than they already are since they train with Valieva). It wouldn't be right for them to be put in that situation by the governing bodies involved.

 

[Mista Ekko]

I wonder how this is affecting Sasha and Anna mentally, they're probably aware
that there's a scenario in which they would battle each other for the Gold.

 

[mrrice]

In reality the identity of Diana's father was never revealed, at least not publicly. Nor it is known she would have been married (and to an American).

Eteri has always been fascinating to me. Her students have always been great and her beauty goes far beyond the borders of Russia. This scandal could certainly damage her legendary status in the skating world. I truly hope she's not involved.

 

[starlight97]

I wonder how this is affecting Sasha and Anna mentally, they're probably aware
that there's a scenario in which they would battle each other for the Gold.

I think it's moreso that they are aware of a "scenario" aka reality, in which their teammate is being suspended for doping and their entire coaching team and school is under fire from international and even national hate, with their coaches being distracted by this mess, an unclear future for Krustalny after these Games and a huge shadow that is thrown over any Russian girl that will win the Gold, even if it's not Kamila. And this whole event will be politicized and dripping with controversy, nobody will give the eventual winner their fair moment in clean spotlight. This is not an "oh we got lucky" situation for them.
If anything they have been screwed over royally.

 

[skated011]

Eteri has always been fascinating to me. Her students have always been great and her beauty goes far beyond the borders of Russia. This scandal could certainly damage her legendary status in the skating world. I truly hope she's not involved.

well Irina Viner lived through the Alina kabaeva Irina tchachina scandal, Viner is already an icon and she's older than eteri

 

[Mista Ekko]

Some points I would like to mention:
1. Athletes are required to go through the mixed zone, so Kami had no choice but to face that corridor of journalists.
2. It doesn't make any sense for Eteri to make any statement, the case is already in court and anything she says can be used against her.
3. The next step is to request the analysis of the B sample, which could confirm or refute the adverse result of the A sample.

4. RUSADA obviously relies on the team's statements that the ingestion was accidental so I am lifting the suspension.

5. Are there really people who think that Eteri and TT are responsible for all this? They are doing their job with the girls, if they were guilty I think they would not be as calm as they look in practice.

6. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if someone (outside of TT) contaminated something Kamila ingested near Nationals and thus the adverse result.

7. Stop dragging Anna and Sasha into this scandal, they have spent more than three seasons in the elite with a clean career, going through multiple tests in and out of competition (including the December tests of the nationals). There is no regime in TT and there is no such doping in the team.

Well you had me the first four but

5) Yes, it's a fair assumption that would cross peoples minds, people are sure Kamila didn't to this
herself because she's only 15, so they are now wondering who did do it, and it's fair to suspect her team,
and if you suspect her team it's fare to wonder that they not only doing it to one student.

6) that's always an option, but it would still annul her recent results and keep her off the ice for a bit,
unless they change policy due to her being a minor or something.

 

[Mista Ekko]

I think it's moreso that they are aware of a "scenario" aka reality, in which their teammate is being suspended for doping and their entire coaching team and school is under fire from international and even national hate, with their coaches being distracted by this mess, an unclear future for Krustalny after these Games and a huge shadow that is thrown over any Russian girl that will win the Gold, even if it's not Kamila. And this whole event will be politicized and dripping with controversy, nobody will give the eventual winner their fair moment in clean spotlight. This is not an "oh we got lucky" situation for them.
If anything they have been screwed over royally.

Well, maybe. They could also be getting extra pumped with do or die fever.

I don't know them someone just claimed a few posts ago that they look very relaxed in practice.

 

[Silvia451]

Is there any news about what is going to happen with the team event results?

 

[karina17]

I'm seeing a double standard in Russia where "a plot" by 3 14 year old's to simulate blowing up a building in Minecraft is meant with pre-trial detention, trial and lengthy criminal sentences, while figure skating princesses can't be asked questions by reporters. (incidentally I think neither case is the proper way to treat children.)

Not directed to you personally, it's more about the phrasing used in the article but saying he was just asking Kamila a question is misrepresenting the situation. There are pictures of this happening. She was not at a press conference with a mic answering journalist's questions. She was literally just trying to leave the rink. She had her face completely wrapped up in a shirt and was hurrying trying to get away from everyone. She was CLEARLY trying to get away and wanted to be left alone. And this man shouted accusations at her while she was just trying to leave. He was, by the way, the only journalist out of the many present who was rude enough to do that, which is why he was singled out. Every other journalist had the common decency to recognise that, if the allegations were true, then this 15-year-old was very likely not to blame for any of this, and either offered her words of support or just stayed quiet. Everyone except that ONE guy who couldn't read the room.

I'm not trying to encourage sending death threats, but let's not deny that this guy was being an ass. He didn't just "ask a question", he was bullying a kid.

 

[yume]

Valieva is actually Eteri's student that i've seen gasp the most for air after skates. Medvedeva was always like she had just done a walk in a park (i didn't know she could gasp for air before her trip to Toronto), Zagitova too, all 3A although Sasha was sometimes out of breath after bombing.
I guess that drug improves stamina for just a short time. Even if it means that the skater can practice longer, it doesn't necessarily worth it imo. Despite countless runthroughs, girl looks like she's about to pass out. Quality of practice should matter over time.