This will determine if the 15 year-old Russian star can still compete in the Beijing OIympics, despite a doping investigation.
Court of Arbitration for Sport director General Matthieu REEB announced that Valieva would speak via video to the panel just 30 minutes before the scheduled 8:30 p.m. Beijing start. This is a case that has caused chaos with an Olympic marquee sport.
Reeb stated that the athlete would be available online to testify. “We assume she will speak Russian and have an interpreter.”
In a closed-door session at a Beijing hotel conference room, three CAS judges are hearing arguments. Officials from Switzerland and the Winter Games host city are communicating with the lawyers and representatives of the parties. Reeb stated that experts and witnesses would also be involved.
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 on Monday. This was six weeks after Valieva took the sample in St. Petersburg.
Reeb stated that the verdict will be announced in Beijing Monday afternoon.
This is less than 24 hours before Valieva’s next Olympic event, the women’s single competition. If she is cleared to skate, she will be the favorite. Her main competitors will be her Russian counterparts.
Sunday was a quiet day for the teenager at Russia’s latest doping scandal.
As the court prepared the expedited Hearing, Valieva continued her practice in the midst of 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 was 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. “We are waiting to see the end of this story, just like everyone else,” I think. We wish Kamila all of the best. She is a great athlete and a great skater. She has a bright future.”
