Kamila Valieva: Anti-doping Case and Follow-ups

[Alex Fedorov]

Was there even a similar precedent for banning an athlete? I mean - a ban directly during the Olympics (or deprivation of medals later) on the basis of positive doping tests taken not during the Olympics, but earlier?

I see many examples of athletes not being allowed to come to the Olympics if they have previously tested positive, and many examples of athletes being banned already during the Olympics if they have tested positive there.

But was there an example of an athlete taking a test before the Olympics, then, not knowing the results of the test, came to the competition, took the tests there again, this time negative, and then the previous results appeared - and he was banned?

If there was no such precedent, then this in itself could have influenced the decision of the court.

 

[4everchan]

Canadian Olympic Committee

COC 'extremely disappointed'​

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Skate Canada issued a statement Monday in response to the ruling.

"The COC is fully committed to clean sport and we firmly believe that no one involved in doping or other corrupt practices has a place in the Olympic Movement," read the statement.

"While we trust that the CAS decision was the result of a fair process, we are extremely disappointed with this result."

 

[Tomadeur]

Does he say why?

Like if 20 days is too long what's the deal with testing samples from a decade ago? Like who knows what shenanigans could have gone on in 10 years?

For Hajo Seppelt, it is a compelling conclusion that it is probably the right decision, since it is not a question of whether Valieva is guilty or not. From his point of view, it's about what would happen if she was acquitted after the Olympics in a proper trial and about keeping the proportionality in this case (protected athlete, delayed test result, etc.), which is of course super difficult. But considering everything, it is the right decision from his point of view.

The decision about the result in the individual and team competition must be decided later.

But has also criticized the anti-doping system, as many things have not gone right and most trouble could have been avoided if the processes had been faster.

He also added (not in connection with the previous reasoning) that for him it is quite likely that she is a victim of third parties and he is curious what else will be known in investigations in this regard and that the WADA code for protected athletes has its justification.

 

[[email protected]]

No idea. This is where I read about the 01/19 date. I don’t understand the person walking around bit.

Pozdnyakov would know

It's a translation. He meant that they don't know where was the sample between Dec. 25 and Jan.19

 

[RatedPG]

Was there even a similar precedent for banning an athlete? I mean - a ban directly during the Olympics (or deprivation of medals later) on the basis of positive doping tests taken not during the Olympics, but earlier?

I see many examples of athletes not being allowed to come to the Olympics if they have previously tested positive, and many examples of athletes being banned already during the Olympics if they have tested positive there.

But was there an example of an athlete taking a test before the Olympics, then, not knowing the results of the test, came to the competition, took the tests there again, this time negative, and then the previous results appeared - and he was banned?

If there was no such precedent, then this in itself could have influenced the decision of the court.

I don’t recall any case like this. I think that is what makes this case so complicated. If there is a similar case, I would love to know how it got handled.

 

[Scott512]

I said before the statement came out that I would be okay with whichever way CAS went.

It was vital that KV had her side represented. To all the noise and commotion and anger towards her and Russia she had every right to a fair hearing and she got it. But it wasn't some slam dunk victory or acquitting her of everything it was just allowing her to skate in the individual event. It was Step 1 and what is potentially a long process maybe 6 months to a year.

But I think after the Olympics it may be prudent if the Russian Federation actually makes a smart move for once and keeps KV home and send somebody else to Worlds.

I don't know what to expect in the individual ladies competition I don't know what mental state this girl is and I don't think it's good. Sasha is up and down Anna is banged up again there may be an opening for somebody else to get in there for the gold which would please 90% of the people posting here.

 

[solani]

Interesting. My guess is that the board who made this decision is afraid of something. Or they were ordered to it. Is the IOC afraid of something?
Because this does make sense only if they're trying to postpone a war. To blame the Swedish Lab, who had to step in, because the Moscow Lab was banned again in October ... well I guess they had to come up with something.

That said, I feel for all medal candidates. This really ist the most unfortunate scenario imaginable.

 

[RatedPG]

It's a translation. He meant that they don't know where was the sample between Dec. 25 and Jan.19

Got it. And that is a fair question that I would like an answer to. I guess we will find out in due time.

 

[Mista Ekko]

It's a translation. He meant that they don't know where was the sample between Dec. 25 and Jan.19

Do they know who they gave it to?

if they didn't monitor the sample (which was their responsibility) for at least 3 weeks
can they at least say who took it?

 

[4everchan]

I don’t recall any case like this. I think that is what makes this case so complicated. If there is a similar case, I would love to know how it got handled.

don't worry, starting now, there will be similar cases as this set a wild precedent

 

[Tomadeur]

After this case btw, it´s no doubt the should raise the age minimum for seniors... Age was a huge factor in this case.

To what extent would shifting the problem from major senior competitions to junior competitions improve the situation for junior athletes?

 

[solani]

It's a translation. He meant that they don't know where was the sample between Dec. 25 and Jan.19

Oh, so the transport company is to blame? How convenient. I do that all the time!

 

[Wafflecakes]

don't worry, starting now, there will be similar cases as this set a wild precedent

Yup.

"No doing performance enhancing drugs....

....unless you are drugging up a kid. Then have at it because we will feel bad for the kid and let them compete anyways!"

 

[4everchan]

Oh, so the transport company is to blame? How convenient. I do that all the time!

haha same here... i keep on saying that the XMAS cards I sent were lost in the mail

 

[[email protected]]

Most likely Rusfed internal laboratory analyzed Kamila's urine the same day, discovered trimetazidine, hence didn't prioritize official sample hoping Swedes won't make it before Olympics. Unfortunately for them, Swedes did make it.

It's another diversion. No one says that it took the lab too long. Even if it was the minimum priority they had to test it within 20 days. The question is why it took at least 25 days to bring the sample from St.Petersburg to Stockholm? They are both cities on the Baltic sea (I even not talking about air). It has nothing to do with the lab.

The allegation about Russia's finding out and not putting priority is just bizzare. And again same as with allegations about Kamila's being doped with a one time dosage of trimedazine it defies basic logic. Russia would want to have the negative results as fast as possible to make changes and still get 2 golds rather than delaying it after the Olympics to risk losing 2 golds.

 

[Fanof]

WADA statement following CAS decision not to reinstate skater’s provisional suspension​

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledges the ruling announced today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to confirm the lifting of the provisional suspension of Russian Olympic Committee figure skater Kamila Valieva.
WADA’s appeal to CAS in this case, which was filed alongside appeals by the International Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union, was based on WADA’s position that the decision by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Disciplinary Committee to lift the mandatory provisional suspension on the athlete was not in line with the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). WADA is therefore disappointed by today’s ruling of the CAS Ad Hoc Division. While WADA has not received the reasoned award, it appears that the CAS panel decided not to apply the terms of the Code, which does not allow for specific exceptions to be made in relation to mandatory provisional suspensions for 'protected persons', including minors.
Concerning the analysis of the athlete's sample, WADA always expects Anti-Doping Organizations to liaise with the laboratories in order to ensure they expedite the analysis of samples so that the results are received prior to athletes traveling to or competing in a major event, such as the Olympic or Paralympic Games and, where applicable, conduct results management of the cases related to such athletes.
According to information received by WADA, the sample in this case was not flagged by RUSADA as being a priority sample when it was received by the anti-doping laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden. This meant the laboratory did not know to fast-track the analysis of this sample.
As previously announced, under the terms of the Code, when a minor is involved in an anti-doping case, there is a requirement to investigate that athlete’s support personnel. RUSADA has already indicated it has begun that process. In addition, WADA’s independent Intelligence and Investigations Department will look into it.

 

[[email protected]]

Does he say why?

Like if 20 days is too long what's the deal with testing samples from a decade ago? Like who knows what shenanigans could have gone on in 10 years?

I am sure that "decade ago" concerns samples B rather than A

 

[Mista Ekko]

For Hajo Seppelt, it is a compelling conclusion that it is probably the right decision, since it is not a question of whether Valieva is guilty or not. From his point of view, it's about what would happen if she was acquitted after the Olympics in a proper trial and about keeping the proportionality in this case (protected athlete, delayed test result, etc.), which is of course super difficult. But considering everything, it is the right decision from his point of view.

The decision about the result in the individual and team competition must be decided later.

But has also criticized the anti-doping system, as many things have not gone right and most trouble could have been avoided if the processes had been faster.

He also added (not in connection with the previous reasoning) that for him it is quite likely that she is a victim of third parties and he is curious what else will be known in investigations in this regard and that the WADA code for protected athletes has its justification.

So he's saying he agrees with this decision under the unique urgent circumstances from a legal stand point,
but he also thinks from his experience that it's likely that someone's been doping her.

 

[[email protected]]

Do they know who they gave it to?

if they didn't monitor the sample (which was their responsibility) for at least 3 weeks
can they at least say who took it?

I am sure this will be part of the investigation. Some people, of course, are fast enough to put the blame on Rusada to intentionally delay the things. And these people don't care that there could be no logic behind that outside the belief that the Russians are both "evil and stupid".

 

[brakes]

It's another diversion. No one says that it took the lab too long.

Are you serious? Every single fed/expert/public figure on every single Russian TV channel says that 24/7.