Kamila Valieva: Anti-doping Case and Follow-ups

[Skating91]

What a ridiculous thing to type. You don't win for what you might do.

Would Shcherbakova or Trusova lose to Karen Chen?

My point is if the result of the sample was not sat on until the very completion of the team event, but instead given to Kamila a mere 28 hours earlier (after sitting on the sample for 6 weeks), then all of this would have been avoided and ROC would have won an easy gold, Kamila would have withdrawn, all athletes would have received medals instead of the empty boxes they keep posting on Twitter.

 

[icewhite]

Honestly I never cared much about the outcome of this. Valieva is clearly struggling for other reasons, her results of these four years don't mean much, internationally she's banned anyway, in Russia she will continue to skate at least shows anyway.
Russia loves her even more because of the whole story, she's the victim of the evil west, so while I would usually feel very much for her I think the verdict does not hurt her at all.
The whole team event is so unneccessary in my eyes anyway, so who gets those medals... I don't care much.

The thing that really bothers me is that here was a 15 year old who was obviously doped - and nobody really cares to deal with the question who gave it to her and whether other teenagers are also affected. People assume this or that, but neither the Russian authorities nor the ISU nor the IOC, nobody, is really making a move in the direction that would be correct: insist on an independent investigation of the adults around her, her coaching team that is known to not care about their athletes' health in other areas, and the team's doctor who has been confirmed in doping before - and if that investigation gets hindered or they are found to be responsible these people are banned from dealing with athletes at ISU competitions. Whether they compete for Russia, Georgia or Trinidad and Tobago.
I'm aware that most likely such an investigation would not be successfull because there are no authorities with the power to really look into things. It would come to nothing or someone not actually responsible would be thrown under the bus. But the fact that there is not even a serious attempt when there are good reasons to assume that there is doping of not just one teenager, makes me sick to my stomach.
As if this was all just a game. As if there was no reason why certain substances are prohibited, as if someone just randomly decided that broccoli should be forbidden for athletes.

 

[TontoK]

Not expected. Quite unprecedented. WADA must now go after every protected child athlete with the same vigour as they have pursued Valieva otherwise questions will be asked. It does not matter if it is a trace amount of a common drug no-one really knows whether it gives benefits, but WADA must go after them and seek 4 years.

This is what people wanted.

YES. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED.

 

[LolaSkatesInJapan]

Would Shcherbakova or Trusova lose to Karen Chen?

My point is if the result of the sample was not sat on until the very completion of the team event, but instead given to Kamila a mere 28 hours earlier (after sitting on the sample for 6 weeks), then all of this would have been avoided and ROC would have won an easy gold, Kamila would have withdrawn, all athletes would have received medals instead of the empty boxes they keep posting on Twitter.

Exactly. Which is why the whole "doping" story is very very shady.
Either Anya or Sasha would've easily beaten any of the other contenders.

 

[Skating91]

Apart from

which I absolutely disagree, she's not finished at all, she went through recent health issues + big body changes with adulthood + stress waiting for this CAS decision, yet she kept skating beautifully and she has many years yet to skate, which I hope she does and doesn't let this unfair decision get her too sad and depressed with no motivation to continue, I absolutely agree with all the rest you said.
She can skate the 2025 Russian Championships, keep up with shows and fully supported by many. people who do appreciate her.

But very, very sad CAS decision nevertheless

Sad, tragic day.

I think on the previous trajectory she was finished.

There was some tension with Tutberitze as well you could see it at the Kazan stage. This is natural when people have been around each other for a long time, especially during many emotionally difficult moments.

It was time for a change and now it has been forced upon her in the worst way, but that's life sometimes the worst thing that could happen turns into the biggest blessing.

 

[LolaSkatesInJapan]

Sad, tragic day.

I think on the previous trajectory she was finished.

There was some tension with Tutberitze as well you could see it at the Kazan stage. This is natural when people have been around each other for a long time, especially during many emotionally difficult moments.

It was time for a change and now it has been forced upon her in the worst way, but that's life sometimes the worst thing that could happen turns into the biggest blessing.

AMEN.. we can only hope for the best

 

[throw_triple_flip]

So we have banned the teenager for 4 years (as expected) and all the adults around her walked away without any consequences. We have learned nothing...

The ruling does refer to them. But really, that's not something CAS can deal with as an organisation.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

But very, very sad CAS decision nevertheless

I would say the entire incident is horribly sad for all involved, because it was preventable. This is particularly the case for the athletes whose fairly deserved athletic achievements have been held hostage for two years!

 

[throw_triple_flip]

And now the (probably) long drawn-out drama of how the final podium shakes out.

CAS don't want to go near that decision - and who can really blame them. It's a complete mess.

 

[Skating91]

It's a very easy decision to strip ROC of gold. It's a shame for everyone that the result wasn't returned a mere 28 hours earlier because Valieva would have been replaced by Shcherbakova or Trusova and won quite easily. All the athletes would have received their medals.

 

[Sjs5572]

It's a very easy decision to strip ROC of gold. It's a shame for everyone that the result wasn't returned a mere 28 hours earlier because Valieva would have been replaced by Shcherbakova or Trusova and won quite easily.

Who were probably also doping, but didn't get caught.

 

[Sjs5572]

Will responses be allowed on this thread? This is the biggest news of the quadrennial.

 

[gsk8]

Will responses be allowed on this thread? This is the biggest news of the quadrennial.

Yes. See thread reply message: Please post responsibly and without taking potshots, making political statements, ranting, etc.

 

[jgg220]

I am interested in seeing revised competition results and medals awarded, if they will be, based on this decision. I am also interested in seeing how skaters who competed at events during the period of the four-year ban react to the CAS decision.

 

[moonvine]

Is there any news on when they will receive their medals? Does the US team now receive gold medals? Will there be a ceremony?

 

[cheerknithanson]

Is there any news on when they will receive their medals? Does the US team now receive gold medals? Will there be a ceremony?

I just hope that decision will be exponentially faster than how long it took to get to this decision. I hope it’s done in time for 2024 Worlds. I want a medal ceremony at the end of it for the team event. That’s my dream.

 

[rain]

I'm pleasantly surprised at the stiffer penalty than I expected. I remain disappointed that in this mess the only thing that's been addressed is Valieva, as if this was a singular case, since it's highly doubtful she did this on her own.

 

[Ziotic]

Is there any news on when they will receive their medals? Does the US team now receive gold medals? Will there be a ceremony?

They still have 30 days to appeal, which I think is likely.

Otherwise I still think its a bit tricky for the team event. It isn't clear if they will just discard her results of her whole teams.

Does anyone know how it works for other sports? I know is relay it's the whole team, but what about hockey or basketball?

 

[Rebecca Moose]

since potshots, political statements, and ranting are not permitted here, I have nothing to add.

 

[rain]

They still have 30 days to appeal, which I think is likely.

I'd also be very surprised if they let it stand.