The hearing began Sunday evening in Beijing, and continued until Monday morning at 3:00 a.m. Matthieu REEB, director general of Court of Arbitration for Sport, said Monday afternoon that a ruling will be made in the case which has caused havoc in one of the Olympics marquee events.
In a closed-door session at a Beijing hotel conference room, three CAS judges heard arguments. Officials from Switzerland and lawyers representing the parties in the case.
International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, and International Skating Union challenged the decision of the Russian anti-doping agent to lift an interim ban in order for Valieva to compete at her main event.
After Valieva helped Russia win the team event, a positive test for , a banned heart medication, was flagged by a laboratory from Sweden a week later. It was six weeks since the sample was taken in St. Petersburg.
Just 24 hours before Valieva’s next Olympic event, the women’s single competition, the verdict will be made. If she is cleared to skate, she will be the favorite. Her main competitors will be her Russian counterparts.
An earlier Sunday, the Russian teenager involved in Russia’s latest doping scandal appeared to be the only one who didn’t have a word.
As the court prepared the expedited Hearing, Valieva continued practicing amid a seaof media and camera crews.
Since the news of Valieva’s positive drug test, Valieva has not missed a scheduled practice. The reigning European champion helped the Russian skating team win the gold by performing a dynamic free-skate, in which she became first woman to perform a quad jump at the Olympic competition.
Valieva seemed to be stressed on several occasions. She even fell during Saturday’s practice and wept as she hugged her struggling coach, Eteri Tulberidze.
Nikita Katsalapov, a Russian ice dancer, said that Kamila was a strong girl. She and Victoria Sinitsina have attempted to offer Valieva the much-needed support.
Sunday’s start was taken by Valieva, who placed 26th among 30 competitors.
Katsalapov stated that Victoria had taken a few moments to speak with her. “Victoria asked her to calm down a bit even though it was a difficult situation for her right now.
Since the news conference after the Russians’ team silver, Valieva has not spoken to the media. At that time, the star seemed every inch the precocious teenager. She was texting and snapping photos, as she squeezed the plush mascot that was given to each medalist, between answering questions.
She exclaimed, “We did such a great job.” “I am very proud of my team.”
All their gold medals are now in doubt, and it is unlikely that they will be determined until after the Olympics.
Social media has seen most critics support Valieva and point out that Russian coaches and administrators are responsible for her well being. Tutberidze is also a coach for teammates Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova. She has a reputation of wasting her young athletes.
Mirai Nagasu was a member the U.S. figure skater team at the Pyeongchang Olympics four years ago.
Ashley Wagner, an American figure skater, was shocked that Russia is the subject of yet another doping scandal, but continues to get a pass at the International Olympic Committee.
Wagner also took aim against a skating culture that encourages teens to skate without regard for their long-term well-being.
Wagner stated that a 15 year old can still be mature and live a full life, but she is still a child. She is not the first child to be in this situation and she will not be the last, unless we take this seriously.
Valieva, a high-schooler with pink skate guards and a beloved Pomeranian dog back home, is at the heart of the chaos. After completing a flawless run-through of her record setting program at Sunday’s practice, she returned to the practice rink for another session a few hours later.
As dozens upon dozens of cameras clicked for photos, Valieva reached down to touch the ice.
We will see if she can make it again at the Olympics.
Russian ice dancer Gleb Stmolkin stated that it was always a bad thing when such an event occurs. “I believe everyone is waiting to hear the end of this story. We wish Kamila all of the best. She is a great athlete and a great skater. She has a bright future.”
