Kamila Valieva Says ‘Contamination; By Her Grandfather’s Medication Led To Positive Drug Test

The latest in the ongoing saga of Kamila Valieva and her pre-Olympics failed doping test includes her lawyers saying that the 15-year-old skater failed because of contamination from her grandfather’s medication.

Indeed, part of the Russian’s defense is “contamination which happened with a product her grandfather was taking.”

The argument was made at a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing late Sunday night, during which judges eventually ruled Monday that she can compete in the women’s individual event despite testing positive for a banned heart medication.

The investigation will continue for months, though, and she faces potential medal-stripping. She helped the Russian team win gold last week and is the favorite in Tuesday’s women’s event.

Valieva will be investigated by the Russian anti-doping agency after the games. The ruling will likely be appealed even if it clears her.

Valieva’s lawyers “presented elements that brought some doubts about her guilt” during the CAS panel that allowed her to skate, including her status as a minor, the potential harm to her career, and the delay in informing Russia about the positive test.

Article by Andrew Corselli