Although Kamila Valijeva‘s positive doping test dates back to before the European Championship, so more than a month ago, the 15-year-old figure skater still appeared on the ice in Beijing. The news about her positive test only became known during the Winter Olympics.
According to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada), the processing of Valijeva’s doping test was delayed at the end of December due to a corona outbreak among staff at the doping laboratory in the Swedish capital Stockholm.
The IOC referred the matter to the International Sports Tribunal TAS, which ruled today that Valijeva may still participate in the Olympic short freestyle tomorrow. “If we hadn’t let her participate, it would have caused irreparable damage,” he said.
That decision came as a bolt from the blue to the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA. “We are disappointed with the ruling of the TAS,” it said in an official response.
“The WADA Code does not allow exceptions for provisional suspensions for minors, yet the TAS has decided not to apply the code’s terms.”
In addition, the Russian anti-doping agency was also wrong, according to WADA. “Anti-doping organizations must notify labs to expedite an analysis so that results are available before an athlete travels to a major event, such as the Olympics.”
“But the Rusada has not identified Valijeva’s sample as a priority, nor has it accelerated the analysis,” WADA concluded.
Meanwhile, Rusada has already opened an investigation into the entourage of the minor Valijeva, but WADA confirms that it will also start an independent investigation.
