Beijing Olympics – Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive before the 2022 Olympic Games

The news was made official around 4:30 a.m. French time. The ITA, the body in charge of anti-doping controls during the Olympics, has confirmed that Russian skater Kamila Valieva, favorite at 15 for Olympic gold at the Beijing Games, has been the subject of a positive anti-doping test. at the end of December before the 2022 Olympics. Undefeated until then for her first winter in seniors, Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine – a product used to relieve angina pectoris, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2014 – during a test carried out on December 25 during the Russian Championships by the Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada).

Her participation following the Beijing Games is now suspended with a decision from the Sports Court (CAS) expected before the start of the women’s individual competition on Tuesday.

Notified of the positive test on Tuesday – the day after the victory of the Russian team under neutral flag in the team competition in Beijing in which it participated – the Russian anti-doping agency then “temporarily suspended with immediate effect“Valieva, explains the ITA in a long press release which details the course of events. This provisional suspension then deprived the young skater of participating in any competition, including the 2022 Olympics. But”the athlete appealed to the Rusada on February 9 and a hearing took place the same day“, continues the ITA.”On the evening of February 9, Rusada decided to lift the provisional suspension of the athlete, allowing him to continue to participate in the Olympics.“

“The reasoned decision will be communicated shortly to all parties.“, specifies the authority. Nevertheless, “because a decision is needed before“the start of the individual competition, scheduled for Tuesday February 15 and Thursday February 17, “the IOC will exercise its right to appeal without waiting for Rusada’s reasoned decision“, announces the ITA.

Valieva’s age, under 16, makes her a “protected person“, which implies special provisions, confidentiality around its control and potentially reduced sanctions, according to WADA regulations.