The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has not marked the December doping test of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva as a priority for transmission to the Stockholm Laboratory, announced the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Earlier today, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed appeals by WADA, the International Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union against a decision by the RUSADA Disciplinary Commission to overturn Valieva’s suspension. The athlete will be able to participate in the individual competition of the Beijing 2022 Olympics. In its decision, the court pointed to problems with the time of the doping test of the 15-year-old figure skater.
“According to information received, the sample was not identified as a priority by RUSADA when it was transferred to the laboratory in Stockholm. This means that the laboratory was not aware of the need for accelerated verification of the sample”, said the statement of WADA. “WADA’s appeal is based on the fact that the decision of the RUSADA disciplinary commission to cancel Valieva’s suspension is not in accordance with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code. Therefore, WADA is disappointed with the decision of the CAS panel. Apparently, the court decided not to apply the provisions of the Code, which does not allow specific exceptions to the mandatory suspension of protected persons including minors”, adds the statement.
WADA has confirmed that the organization’s investigative department will check on Valieva’s entourage. Earlier, the investigation procedure was initiated by RUSADA.
On February 7, the Russian national figure skating team, which included Kamila Valieva, won gold at the Beijing Olympics in the team competition. On February 11, the International Testing Agency announced that the award ceremony for the winners of the team tournament was postponed due to a positive result from the doping test of 15-year-old Valieva, which was given on December 25. RUSADA imposed a temporary sentence on the Russian woman on February 8, which she successfully challenged the next day.
