Kamila Valieva: Anti-doping Case and Follow-ups

[jenaj]

I think we shouldn't go on this statement. RusFed might have known that the sample was delayed, and that could have been a reason why they dragged their feet with selections to the last moment, but there could have been other circumstances we don’t know about. For example, samples from Trusova or Scherabkova might not have been in either, but tested clean when the analytical suit was completed--too late to make a substitute. We know from the team members' testimony during the Olympics that they waited late into the night not knowing who skates, including the women. That is more likely imo, versus RusFed decided they can bury the positive test in some kind of collective delusion event.

At any rate, there is no shortage of things RusFed did wrong since, so I would focus on that. Because their treatment of the clean athlets after the event was horrid, making them compete with Valieva and close ranks. This should have never had happened and those guilty of promoting jaded view of sport and glorifying cheating should be removed from sport.

This is what should be persecuted, this is what should be condemned and deemed unacceptable. In addition to treating athlets as serfs, not allowing them to structure their lives and careers as a free person should be able to.

The irony is that that the ROC had two other skaters who they could have won with.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

Regarding the bronze medal..

if Kamila's results are removed from the team event, does that mean that all the countries who made it to the free skates recieve 2 extra points, reflecting the higher placing of their women skaters? Because if they did that, Canada are a point ahead of Russia. If they just remove her results and don't alter points/standings i believe that would put Russia one point of Canada (please correct me if I'm mistaken).

 

[throw_triple_flip]

The irony is that that the ROC had two other skaters who they could have won with.

This is why I don't buy the theory that the Russians knew there was any possibility of there being a problem, at least until after the team short programs.

Was it ever established when then the ROC/federation actually found out? Because they didn't use the option of using a second skater/team in two of the categories for the team free skate. Was that decision completely unrelated to the news or did it influence their decision?

 

[Mathematician]

I guess I'm just not naïve enough to believe that a 15 year old was doping solo. Especially when you acknowledge the fact that she also had 3 other heart medications in her system.

It doesn't really matter.

She is now and forever will be an athlete who was found guilty of cheating by taking a banned substance.

Keep speculating bud, I go by numbers not guesses. ISU says she has the record. Medals corrode but numbers are forever.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I think we shouldn't go on this statement. RusFed might have known that the sample was delayed, and that could have been a reason why they dragged their feet with selections to the last moment, but there could have been other circumstances we don’t know about. For example, samples from Trusova or Scherabkova might not have been in either, but tested clean when the analytical suit was completed--too late to make a substitute. We know from the team members' testimony during the Olympics that they waited late into the night not knowing who skates, including the women. That is more likely imo, versus RusFed decided they can bury the positive test in some kind of collective delusion event.

At any rate, there is no shortage of things RusFed did wrong since, so I would focus on that. Because their treatment of the clean athlets after the event was horrid, making them compete with Valieva and close ranks. This should have never had happened and those guilty of promoting jaded view of sport and glorifying cheating should be removed from sport.

This is what should be persecuted, this is what should be condemned and deemed unacceptable. In addition to treating athlets as serfs, not allowing them to structure their lives and careers as a free person should be able to.

But this is all relative @lariko. There's no need to lump it all together and make it seem so complicated. Bottom line facts, I trust Bagriantseva's fair-minded reports and the knowledge from which she speaks. According to Bagriantseva, there were no test result clouds hanging over Trusova or Anna S. Thus, a simple, safe decision could have been made regarding the Olympic team selection for women. But a simple, safe decision was not made. The rest is history, which is why we are here discussing that history.

 

[Mathematician]

I just cant believe she isnt allowed to train, thats absolutely crazy. They literally took away her life. I would actually be on suicide risk in her place just being honest. Rules are rules and you cant change that but to ban her from even getting on the ice is UNBELIEVABLE.

 

[Ziotic]

Keep speculating bud, I go by numbers not guesses. ISU says she has the record. Medals corrode but numbers are forever.

Yes, those meaningless numbers that are irrelevant after each change the ISU makes to the ISJ! They will surely live on forever.

Rather than, you know, that title EVERY skater dreams to hold. Olympic Champion.

 

[icewhite]

I just cant believe she isnt allowed to train, thats absolutely crazy. They literally took away her life. I would actually be on suicide risk in her place just being honest. Rules are rules and you cant change that but to ban her from even getting on the ice is UNBELIEVABLE.

She can be on the ice, just not in certain places.

 

[Remilia]

I do hope the sambo coaching team and that doctor also receive some kind of punishment. If Kamila is getting a 4-year ban, then so should her coaches. Anyone with a brain knows that there's no way a 15-year-old was able to get access to a heart medication on her own...also, I really worry about the long-term impact said medication will end up having on her health. God, at the very least, I hope this makes parents think twice before sending their kid to train at sambo.

 

[skatesofgold]

I think this was the only fair resolution. If this was like the Andreea Raducan case in 2000 when she was still 16 and an adult came forward, I would not be in favor of punishing the athlete any more than necessary, but since no one is coming forward, I think Valieva has to receive the full punishment.

With that said, I’d be mad if I were Sasha or Anna.

 

[Mathematician]

She can be on the ice, just not in certain places.

Yea, just not anywhere that she can actually skate like shes supposed to. What is she going to go skate at a public session? What is she supposed to do?

 

[icewhite]

After reading many Russian comments from all kinds of skaters, coaches, fed people about this I don't know how Russia could be allowed back even if they were for other reasons. They don't even show any interest in cleaning up the whole thing. It's all just bad ISU, bad Americans, bad IOC, bad international organizations, we will show them.
Only they use much more vulgar terms.
Showing. no. interest. in. anti-doping. whatsoever.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Keep speculating bud, I go by numbers not guesses. ISU says she has the record. Medals corrode but numbers are forever.

No one should question Valieva's talent and amazing abilities. Sadly, this is why it is such a shame some authorities/ personages (beyond the athlete) felt it necessary to not abide by doping rules. No figure skating athlete's actual talent can be enhanced pharmaceutically. It is the training and endurance factors that are impacted by drug-taking, which can then lend 'an edge' in competition.

In Valieva's case and in many other cases, more than likely, 'an edge' that was unnecessary and ultimately harmful to the overall outcome of how her career is being assessed.

 

[Mathematician]

Yes, those meaningless numbers that are irrelevant after each change the ISU makes to the ISJ! They will surely live on forever.

Rather than, you know, that title EVERY skater dreams to hold. Olympic Champion.

The biggest number reached will stay the biggest number reached and everyone will know that. There are hundreds if not thousands of gold medalists, but there is only one objectively proven peak represented by hard numbers, and with no proof of any extrabiological help.

 

[Mathematician]

I do hope the sambo coaching team and that doctor also receive some kind of punishment. If Kamila is getting a 4-year ban, then so should her coaches. Anyone with a brain knows that there's no way a 15-year-old was able to get access to a heart medication on her own...also, I really worry about the long-term impact said medication will end up having on her health. God, at the very least, I hope this makes parents think twice before sending their kid to train at sambo.

There is zero chance they will get punished im sorry to say. Kamila is the scape goat.

 

[lariko]

But this is all relative @lariko. There's no need to lump it all together and make it seem so complicated. Bottom line facts, I trust Bagriantseva's fair-minded reports and the knowledge from which she speaks. According to Bagriantseva, there were no test result clouds hanging over Trusova or Anna S. Thus, a simple, safe decision could have been made regarding the Olympic team selection for women. But a simple, safe decision was not made. The rest is history, which is why we are here discussing that history.

I will only believe a word of someone who had been on that committee, not a journalist who directly benefits from spin. I know one thing for sure. The behavior of RusFed since was unacceptable to me.

 

[LazyFuzai]

4 years from 2021.So she is ready for Olympics

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I just cant believe she isnt allowed to train, thats absolutely crazy. They literally took away her life. I would actually be on suicide risk in her place just being honest. Rules are rules and you cant change that but to ban her from even getting on the ice is UNBELIEVABLE.

It's also unbelievable that clean athletes who abided by the rules in place, have had to wait for two long years without being awarded the medals they fought so hard for. They are still wondering when they will receive their medals. Their elusive moment of shared victory on the 2022 Olympic podium, in the flush of triumph, is lost forever.

 

[lariko]

After reading many Russian comments from all kinds of skaters, coaches, fed people about this I don't know how Russia could be allowed back even if they were for other reasons. They don't even show any interest in cleaning up the whole thing. It's all just bad ISU, bad Americans, bad IOC, bad international organizations, we will show them.
Only they use much more vulgar terms.
Showing. no. interest. in. anti-doping. whatsoever.

Mom says a couple of people actually said reasonable things. But, overall, the topsy-turvy mentality instilled in Russia is terrifying. Watch them tear into clean athlets who would recieve the medals that were stolen from them by their abusive fed that made them skate with Valieva for 2 years...

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I will only believe a word of someone who had been on that committee, not a journalist who directly benefits from spin. I know one thing for sure. The behavior of RusFed since was unacceptable to me.

What committee are you speaking of? Some comments by Russian officials, are less than trustworthy. In what possible way does Bagriantseva "benefit from spin"? Her allegiances are with the Russian athletes, and she clearly loves Russia, her home country. She is living in the U.S. because she said it was not safe for her to report truthfully as a journalist in Russia.