[Olympics] US and Canada Express Disappointment Over Valieva's Exemption Amid Doping Allegations

International Sports Arbitration Court Dismisses IOC and ISU Appeals
Short Program on 15th, Free Skating on 17th... Controversy Likely to Continue Even if Ranked 1st

Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is practicing the short program moves during the official training at the practice rink of Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, on the afternoon of the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] There is ongoing backlash from various countries over the allowance of Russian figure skating representative Kamila Valieva (16), who was caught doping with banned substances, to compete in the women's singles event.

On the 14th, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the appeals filed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Skating Union (ISU) against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's (RUSADA) decision to withdraw the sanction after notifying Valieva of the doping violation.

The United States immediately reacted against CAS's decision. In a statement released under the name of Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), it said, "This case decided by CAS is yet another example showing the widespread acts that tarnish sport in Russia," adding, "Athletes have the right to know whether the playing field they compete on is fair, but unfortunately today that right was denied. We know this matter is not fully resolved."

Canada also strongly protested CAS's decision. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Skate Canada issued a joint statement expressing their "deep disappointment" with the announcement.

Tricia Smith, IOC member and COC president, said, "(This case is) a very unfortunate and sad incident for the athletes," and "While the COC cannot contribute to the CAS appeal process, we have been closely monitoring this matter and will do everything possible to protect the interests of our athletes and all clean athletes."

Valieva's doping sample, submitted during the Russian National Championships last December, tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance. Trimetazidine is a medication used to treat angina that has stimulating effects, recognized for enhancing athletes' physical efficiency, and was designated as a banned substance by WADA in 2014.

Valieva's test results were notified to RUSADA only on the 8th of this month, a month and a half after submission, which was the day after she secured the gold medal in the figure skating team event. After the notification, RUSADA imposed a provisional suspension on Valieva. However, after Valieva filed an objection, RUSADA accepted it and withdrew the sanction within a day, allowing her to participate in the Olympics. The IOC, ISU, and WADA immediately filed a complaint with CAS against RUSADA's withdrawal of the sanction, but it was dismissed.

CAS cited the following reasons for dismissing the appeal: ▲ Valieva is under 16 years old (born April 26, 2006), thus protected under anti-doping rules ▲ the doping test was not conducted during the Olympic period ▲ WADA notified the doping result 46 days after the test.

Meanwhile, Korean representative Yuna Lim, who competes immediately after Valieva in the short program, stated, "I do not care much about Valieva being allowed to compete," adding, "I just want to focus on my performance."

Amid the controversy, Valieva, who is challenging for the women's singles gold medal in figure skating, will compete in the short program, the first event, on the 15th.

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