The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) constantly monitors how disqualified athletes and coaches comply with the conditions of suspension for violation of anti-doping rules, the organization said.
“RUSADA, like any national anti-doping agency, monitors the activities of athletes and coaches who are disqualified. Often, such information comes to the agency through a confidential channel on the RUSADA website “Report Doping”. In 2023, five cases of violation of conditions were initiated for disqualification”, answered the press service of RUSADA on a question about whether the agency will monitor the disqualification of figure skater Kamila Valieva. “Upon receiving information about a possible violation of the terms of disqualification, RUSADA’s investigative department conducts an investigation against the athlete and/or against his staff. If the information is confirmed, RUSADA initiates a case. If other persons are involved, a case may also be initiated for the violation provided for in Clause 4.9 of the Russian Anti-Doping Rules – complicity or attempted complicity by an athlete or other person”, the agency added.
On January 29, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended Kamila Valieva for four years for violating anti-doping rules, with the sanction coming into effect on December 25, 2021. The figure skater’s results were then voided.
According to the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete may not, while serving a suspension, participate in any capacity in competition at the international or national level or in any sporting activity that is sponsored by the government. The suspended athlete cannot also participate in sports camps, demonstrations or training organized by the national federation of the sport concerned or a club that is a member of that federation or funded by the state.
A disqualified athlete has the right to attend competitions only as a spectator, and during the period of suspension he is prohibited from training other athletes.