CNN —
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has found figure skater Kamila Valieva to have violated anti-doping rules but was not “at fault or negligence” for the violation, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The decision in effect acquits Valieva of wrongdoing and imposes no penalty other than the disqualification of her results from December 25, 2021 – the date her sample was taken.
The decision made by the RUSADA tribunal will allow the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to claim the gold medals won in the team figure skating competition at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
CNN has reached out to RUSADA for comment.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issued a statement hinting that it would likely appeal the ruling.
“WADA notes this result and has requested a copy of the full reasoned decision, which it will review together with the case file to determine whether the decision complies with the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code,” it said in a statement.
“However, based on the elements of the case with which WADA is already aware, the Agency is concerned by the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ and will not hesitate to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as appropriate .
“Following a full review of RUSADA’s decision, WADA will consider what its next steps will be so that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible and without further undue delay.”
Travis Tygart, CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), said in a statement to CNN: “WADA and the ISU [International Skating Union] should appeal this decision for the sake of the integrity of the anti-doping system and the rights of all athletes.
“The world cannot accept this self-serving decision by RUSADA, which in the recent past has been a key tool for Russia’s state-sponsored doping fraud and does not meet the requirements.” Justice demands a full, fair and public hearing outside Russia.
Valieva, now 16, was suspended by RUSADA a day after leading the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to victory in the team competition in Beijing, where she became the first woman to land a quadruple jump at a Winter Olympics.
She tested positive for a banned substance – the heart drug trimetazidine, which can improve endurance – in December 2021. But the results of the failed December drug test only came to light during the Olympics, when it was analyzed and reported to RUSADA.
Valieva has not publicly explained the positive test results.
Team USA finished second in the team competition in Beijing, with Japan third and Canada fourth. As a result of the doping controversy, no medal ceremony was held at the Games.
CNN has reached out to the ISU and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for comment.
In a statement to CNN, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Beijing Games, it remains very important that the team figure skating athletes who competed in Beijing receive the decision they deserve.”
“We thank WADA for their commitment to look into this matter and move the process forward as quickly as possible.”
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