Russian Figure Skating Team Gold Medalist Valieva Tests Positive for Banned Substance in Doping Sample

Russian female figure skating star Kamila Valieva [Photo by EPA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Russian female figure skating star Kamila Valieva, participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has reportedly tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, according to Russian media on the 9th (local time). Although Russia won the figure skating team event, the medal ceremony was suddenly postponed, and there are prospects that Valieva may be granted immunity due to legal issues.

Russian major media outlet RBC cited multiple sources on the day, reporting that "there are talks that a small amount of (angina treatment drug) trimetazidine was detected in Valieva's doping sample." Russian daily Kommersant also reported, "There appears to be an issue with Valieva's doping sample, and trimetazidine was found."

Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in a daily briefing that "the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event, scheduled for 10 p.m. on the 8th, was delayed due to an 'unknown legal issue'." Subsequently, the IOC added, "An urgent situation requiring legal consultation with the International Skating Union (ISU) has arisen today."

Media reports have linked this to doping issues involving the winning Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) athletes. The ROC declined to comment on reports that Valieva tested positive for a banned substance.

RBC stated that since anti-doping regulations apply to athletes aged 16 and older, and Valieva is currently 15, it may not be considered an official violation of the rules. They also reported that her legal team is seeking ways to obtain immunity. Foreign media reported that the IOC plans to issue an official statement on this matter at 1 p.m. Beijing time on the 10th.

Trimetazidine is a drug used to treat angina but can also be used as a stimulant, and it has been on the list of banned doping substances since 2014. A small amount of trimetazidine was detected in Russian female bobsleigh athlete Nadezhda Sergeeva, who participated in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, leading to her disqualification. In 2014, Chinese swimmer Sun Yang tested positive for trimetazidine during doping tests conducted at the Chinese National Championships and was suspended for three months by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA).

Valieva debuted on the senior circuit this season, performing quadruple jumps freely and flawlessly executing the highest difficulty non-jump elements as a female single figure skater. She is a strong favorite to win the women's singles figure skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics and recently led the ROC to victory in the team event.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.