Topline
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva failed a drug test at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing on Wednesday, Reuters reports citing two Russian media outlets, putting into question the gold medal she helped win for the Russian team in figure skating, and the 15-year-old’s own gold medal prospects after she became the first woman to land a quadruple jump in Olympic history earlier this week.
Key Facts
Valieva was identified as the member of the Russian team who received a positive drug test for a banned drug, Reuters reports citing Russian newspapers RBC and Kommersant.
Reuters cited reports that Valieva tested positive at the games for trimetazidine, citing the two Russian newspapers.
The Russian Olympic Committee won the gold medal for the team competition Monday night, followed by the U.S. (silver) and Japan (bronze), with Valieva finishing first in both of her events.
The medal ceremony was scheduled for Tuesday evening, but was delayed due to a situation that “requires legal consultation,” International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Surprising Fact
Athletes under the age of 16 are considered a “Protected Person,” according to the World Anti Doping Agency code, meaning officials cannot formally identify a competitor who is guilty of a doping violation if they are under the age of 16.
What We Don’t Know
How this affects Russia’s team gold medal or Valieva’s other events. She is considered the heavy gold medal favorite following her record-setting performance as part of the team competition.
Key Background
The World Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia from competing in the Olympics and other international sports games for four years in 2019, following a report detailing the country’s state-sponsored doping scheme dating back to at least 2012. Several Russian athletes have had their medals stripped in the fallout of the scandal, though the Court of Arbitration for Sport shortened the four-year ban to two years. Russian athletes compete in Beijing as a neutral party and represent the Russian Olympic Committee.
Further Reading
New Russian Doping Scandal? Reports Say Figure Skater Failed Drug Test, Team Medal Ceremony Delayed (Forbes)
Russia’s Embroiled In Another Olympic Drug Scandal. Here’s How It All Started. (Forbes)
