Kamila Valieva: Anti-doping Case and Follow-ups

[beachmouse]

Carolina Kostner a great skater no doubt, but I can't reconcile how she can get 16 months I think it was near the end of her career for aiding and abetting her cheat boyfriend (she obviously knew her boyfriend was a cheat or she wouldn't have lied to drug testers as a woman in her 30's), but Valieva for something she likely has no idea how a trace amount of this not particularly useful drug got into her system and even if she did as a 15 year old child she is the victim, receives 4 years in the prime of her career and people somehow this this is justice not a human tragedy.

I suspect that with Kostner, it was a case of her suspension coming under IAAF rules, which are not as strict as ISU rules, and then the ISU reciprocally honoring the suspension that occurred in the track and field realm.

(There are some athletes who do manage to be professional/global level in two sports like track stars who do bobsled in the off season- see Lolo Jones, who was a world champion in both track hurdles and bobsled- and the speed skaters who cross train with a professional cycling team in the off season, so reciprocal honoring of doping suspensions has long been written into assorted codes.)

 

[azora0111]

I'm very broken up about this, While I am sad we won't see her skate again I also see the rationality behind the decision and am happy that a conclusion has finally been reached for all athletes involved.

 

[Minz]

And yes, Simone Biles would probably not take that kind of a medicine if she is doing another job, because not every ADHD is treating by that kind of medicine, nor the medicine is the only one that can help you if you have ADHD in first place

She probably would. She took them before she was an elite gymnast, meaning that she needs to take them either way. If you're saying that not every ADHD is treated by medication, well, Simone's ADHD is. I don't see why her treatment for ADHD would change because of her profession.

I take ADHD meds. I've taken them for most of my life (and I'm still quite young). I am not an elite athlete, and I still need my meds.

 

[Minz]

THEN, as a result of the disqualification.

Both Japanese skaters were moved up to first place, and every other skater moved up one place (according to rule 353). You can go on wiki or the Olympics site this is reflected in the results.

THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO! If they had done this, then Canada would be in Bronze! THIS is what the complaining is about!

 

[4everchan]

Kirsten Moore-Towers has a lot to say.

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2308396099894

 

[lariko]

THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO! If they had done this, then Canada would be in Bronze! THIS is what the complaining is about!

Yeah, and since Russians refused...all the more reasons.

 

[lariko]

I'm very broken up about this, While I am sad we won't see her skate again I also see the rationality behind the decision and am happy that a conclusion has finally been reached for all athletes involved.

That's incorrect. RusFed with unprecedented arrogance permitted Valieva compete in internal competitions in 2022-2024 that for Russian figure skaters were equated to international, hence until all damages to the single women skaters in Russia are totaled and compensated, including medals and lost income, as well as an apology issued to the Russian athletes by the RusFed, as well as investigation is conducted and officials guilty of blatantly disregarding the truth are removed from their jobs, no, conclusion wasn't reached for all athletes involved. RusFed forced everyone in Russia to accept a cheater as a 'victim' and victimized the clean athletes.

 

[Amei]

That's incorrect. RusFed with unprecedented arrogance permitted Valieva compete in internal competitions in 2022-2024 that for Russian figure skaters were equated to international,

CAS ruled in the emergency hearings that she couldn't be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of her doping case. So unless the Russian Fed has special rules that say otherwise she couldn't be suspended the last 2 years even for domestic events.

 

[lariko]

CAS ruled in the emergency hearings that she couldn't be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of her doping case. So unless the Russian Fed has special rules that say otherwise she couldn't be suspended the last 2 years even for domestic events.

Say, they just honestly obeyed the CAS ruling (since it was in their favor)...then, upon completion of the thorough investigation that listened to every piece of evidence presented by Ms. Valieva and her team, and the finding that Ms. Valieva was unequivocaly at fault, I expect all the results revised for this period, in the same law-obiding manner. So, like, that Russian athlets are treated as fairly as the foreign ones for once. It's the least they deserve from RusFed at this point, after two years of lies and oppressive measures.

Were they revised yet?

I am waiting.

 

[Skating91]

THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO! If they had done this, then Canada would be in Bronze! THIS is what the complaining is about!

No, it is what they did. The two Japanese skaters are now the winners of each program since Kamila is disqualified and had her 10 points from each program removed from her team's total. They each scored the highest points in each event.

For many reasons already discussed it is not practical to alter the score of every other team just to engineer a way for Canada to win bronze because it opens up a can of worms if it alters the standings of teams not directly involved in the disqualification lose a medal through no fault of their own. This is why almost any sport will try to avoid this scenario when results are in the books. Japan and Canada could have been equal third in points but Canada received bronze, Kamila finished 3rd in the free skate with Canada in first an Japan in 4th. Kamila's result is put in last place then disqualified adding one point to Japan's score and not changing Canada's score. Japan the new bronze medalist and Canada miss out. It would leave a sour taste and people complain that they shouldn't be stripped of a medal two years down the track for a disqualification that they had no involvement in. It might not just be a case from two years ago that everyone was aware of, but something from 40 years were a team is forced to hand back their medals. Once you set a precedent you can't go back on it.

Also, if you put Kamila in last place for the short program before disqualifying her, then it means she shouldn't have taken part in the free skate with Germany I think it was in her place. We don't know how Germany would have skated in the free skate, but they would be entitled to at least 7 to possibly 10 points for the free skate they were supposed to be involved in (this was not Kamila of ROC's fault they selected the team in good faith it is the WADA lab who was at fault).

It becomes very messy. Much simpler and makes more sense to simply strike out Kamila's results and deduct her points from the team tally.

 

[Skating91]

That's incorrect. RusFed with unprecedented arrogance permitted Valieva compete in internal competitions in 2022-2024 that for Russian figure skaters were equated to international, hence until all damages to the single women skaters in Russia are totaled and compensated, including medals and lost income, as well as an apology issued to the Russian athletes by the RusFed, as well as investigation is conducted and officials guilty of blatantly disregarding the truth are removed from their jobs, no, conclusion wasn't reached for all athletes involved. RusFed forced everyone in Russia to accept a cheater as a 'victim' and victimized the clean athletes.

There is no proof she cheated just that a trace amount of a cheap, common, over the counter drug was in her system. The fact it's such a common drugs increases the odds of it being a case of accidental contamination or maybe sabotage. CAS or WADA didn't prove she cheated just that it was in her system which she agreed and that's enough to convict a 15 year old child under the WADA code (very unjust).

If she was doped by her entourage, then she is truly a victim.

CAS allowed Valieva to compete. I think if WADA's lab had come back with the result when they were supposed to then the provisional suspension would have stood. I think this hysteria should be directed towards WADA and their lab since they are to blame even skating at the Olympics.

 

[Skating91]

I'm very broken up about this, While I am sad we won't see her skate again I also see the rationality behind the decision and am happy that a conclusion has finally been reached for all athletes involved.

It's probably the harshest punishment in the history of doping for 15 year old child with a trace amount of a common medication in her system. A two year suspension backdated would have achieved the main goal which was stripping Russia of gold. Even three months would do it and take away Valieva's main international medals.

But even before the investigation completed, WADA wanted 4 years. Depraved and cruel to do this to a child, when so many similar cases involving even adults have had much reduced suspensions.

 

[Minz]

No, it is what they did. The two Japanese skaters are now the winners of each program since Kamila is disqualified and had her 10 points from each program removed from her team's total. They each scored the highest points in each event.

The Japanese skaters both have 9 points. If they had been moved up to first place, they would have 10 points each. In this case, they just left first place vacant after Valieva's disqualification.

 

[Ziotic]

The Japanese skaters both have 9 points. If they had been moved up to first place, they would have 10 points each. In this case, they just left first place vacant after Valieva's disqualification.

View attachment 7627

It's also important to note that UKR and Germany took a 0 when they didn't have someone to compete rather than 1pt.

So by that logic the women's event needs to be rescored starting with 1st place taking 10pts not 9. That's how it was done in pairs even though only 9 teams competed, the top ranked took 10pts not 9.

 

[macy]

the level of absolute clownery and delusion still going on in here...

 

[lariko]

There is no proof she cheated just that a trace amount of a cheap, common, over the counter drug was in her system. The fact it's such a common drugs increases the odds of it being a case of accidental contamination or maybe sabotage. CAS or WADA didn't prove she cheated just that it was in her system which she agreed and that's enough to convict a 15 year old child under the WADA code (very unjust).

If she was doped by her entourage, then she is truly a victim.

CAS allowed Valieva to compete. I think if WADA's lab had come back with the result when they were supposed to then the provisional suspension would have stood. I think this hysteria should be directed towards WADA and their lab since they are to blame even skating at the Olympics.

Whether you agree with the court's decision or not, the 2 year long investigation that heard and accepted depositions of all parties, including Ms. Valieva concluded that she is guilty of doping. The strict rules are put in place, because plenty of over-the-counter drugs, supplements an even food has impact on athletic performance. To eliminate such uncertainty, athletes compete ultra-clean and must disclose any accidental or emergency ingestion. It's that simple.

She had 2 years to show that she was--in your words--doped by her entourage. She had two years to defend herself and tell the truth about the drug, how and why it was administered.

Whatever was heard during this investigation, it concluded without a shade of doubt and very straightforwardly, that Ms. Valieva didn't establish neither not knowing what drug she took, nor accidental ingestion nor cross-contamination from permitted sources.

In other words, it's a clear cut decision. There is no shadows for RusFed to hide. Ms. Valieva is guilty, and given the circumstances, including her unimpeded access to competitions and whitewashing campaign in Russia, I applaud the decision to request 4 years suspension. This sends a clear message that cheating is not acceptable in figure skating. And, even more importantly, that it is absolutely unacceptable to make a cheating athlete into a nation's martyr. Thief must be in jail. Cheaters must not profit.

Anyone whose moral compass is pointing to true North, not warped by a magnet of trickery is able to see the basis and the justice of this sentence.

This, hopefully, is a bit of a consolation to all Russian figure skaters who had to watch a cheater receive national accolades and adulation in mockery of their hard work to match the cheating results while clean.

Now, the ball is in RusFed's court. They have to demonstrate their integrity, honesty and respect for fair competition. Their intolerance for manipulation of the sport they are in charge of. Their position in respect to what and who they are willing to uphold. Their ability to comprehend that you can help and rehabilitate someone after acknowledging they erred and showing sincerely remorse over it, instead of trying to pretend they didn't commit a violation.

I am waiting.

 

[Skating91]

The Japanese skaters both have 9 points. If they had been moved up to first place, they would have 10 points each. In this case, they just left first place vacant after Valieva's disqualification.

View attachment 7627

You didn't have to explain it to me. I understand your fallacious argument Valieva should be disqualified 10 points in each event, but somehow the Japanese skaters also receive those same 10 points in those same events. That does not make any sense. The highly qualified, independent lawyers that the ISU consulted for the last two years and have no understanding of these petty rivalries in figure skating, are on my side, whereas wise and impartial tabloid style journalists and commentators like Christine Brennan and David Lees who have never demonstrated an agenda against Russian skating have taken the position of wuz robbed, and we now require a really convoluted, illogical system of calculating these results that will open a can of worms in the future, all to Russia is denied a medal and Canada receives a medal they didn't really deserve (in an event that is frankly meaningless and should be removed from the Olympic schedule there is barely a team that can competitive in all four disciplines).

 

[Skating91]

Whether you agree with the court's decision or not, the 2 year long investigation that heard and accepted depositions of all parties, including Ms. Valieva concluded that she is guilty of doping.

CAS said themselves they don't believe she intentionally broke WADA rules, so not a doper. But under the rules they operate, they had to apply the punishment WADA were seeking (however they don't hound Jamaican children that swim primarily in the US through the courts to apply 4 years punishment though when they get caught twice). She had this common over the counter medication in her system in a trace amount, couldn't explain why it was there. Unfortunately even if you're a child (protected person no less), that can be 4 years if you have a really determined WADA after a new trophy.

You make a lot of assumptions about her. I just look at it on its merits.

 

[lariko]

CAS said themselves they don't believe she intentionally broke WADA rules, so not a doper. But under the rules they operate, they had to apply the punishment WADA were seeking (however they don't hound Jamaican children that swim primarily in the US through the courts to apply 4 years punishment though when they get caught twice). She had this common over the counter medication in her system in a trace amount, couldn't explain why it was there. Unfortunately even if you're a child (protected person no less), that can be 4 years if you have a really determined WADA after a new trophy.

You make a lot of assumptions about her. I just look at it on its merits.

Read the bolded text instead of making assumptions about what CAS said:

The CAS Panel found Ms Valieva (the Athlete) to have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) due to the presence of Trimetazidine (TMZ) in the sample collected from her on 25 December 2021 during the Russian National Championships in St Petersburg, and sanctioned her with a four-year period of ineligibility starting on 25 December 2021. In addition, all competitive results from 25 December 2021 were disqualified. TMZ is a Prohibited Substance belonging to the S.4 hormone and metabolic modulators class; its use in sport is banned at all times as it could potentially help the heart to function better.

The CAS award shows that, in her submissions, the Athlete asserted that the prohibited substance entered her body through the consumption of contaminated food shortly before the Russian Championships, i.e. through the consumption of a strawberry dessert prepared by her grandfather on the chopping board where he used to crush his medication (pills) containing TMZ. The CAS Panel determined that this explanation was not corroborated by any concrete evidence and that the Athlete was not able to establish that she had not committed the ADRV intentionally.

From this basis, and according to the relevant rules, the status of “Protected Person”, that the Athlete could enjoy before the CAS ad hoc Division at the time of the Olympic Winter Games 2022, because of her young age and on the basis of the limited evidence which was available at the very beginning of the case, was no longer applicable in her situation. Indeed, the CAS Panel determined that since the Athlete failed to establish that she did not commit ADRV intentionally, and since the “No Significant Fault or Negligence” criterion was not met, there was, consequently, no basis under the rules to treat the Athlete any differently from an adult athlete.

Ms. Valieva was tried, given ample chance to defend herself, and found guilty.


I suggest you move on to the swimming boards to talk about Jamaican swimmers and their Olympic prodigy.

 

[Skating91]

422. The Panel has decided that the Athlete did not discharge her burden of proving, pursuant to Clause 12.2.1 of the Russian ADR, that her ADRV was not intentional on the balance of probabilities. It is, as the Panel has said, difficult to prove a negative and so it has been the case here. It does not follow, and the Panel most certainly has not concluded, that Ms Valieva is a cheat or that she cheated on 25 December 2021 at the Russian National Championships or that she cheated when she won gold at the Beijing Olympics (or at any other time).

423. The Appellants have not established that the Athlete committed the ADRV intentionally, and nor do they have any obligation to do so. It must be recognised, however, that the conclusion of the investigation conducted by RUSADA (and to alesser extent by WADA) was that there was no evidence that she had acted intentionally.

424. The Panel is aware that some may think that a four-year ban imposed on a 15-year old Athlete in circumstances where it has not been established that she committed the ADRV intentionally is harsh and disproportionate. The Panel carefully considered whether there was scope for the exercise of its discretion to reduce the period of ineligibility according the principles of proportionality adumbrated in CAS2006/A/1025 and CAS 2007/A/1252. In the result, however, on the principal basis that this sanction is entirely in accord with (the strictures of) the Russian ADR (and the 2021 WADC), a majority of the Panel decided against such a course and in this respect adopts what was said by the panel in CAS 2018/A/5546 at ¶¶86-90: