Russian Figure Skater Kamila Valieva Stripped Of Olympic Win, Issued Four-Year Doping Ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a retroactive four-year doping ban to Russian star figure skater Kamila Valieva on January 29, which could change the results of the Olympic event held in Beijing in 2022.

Valieva was on a team of skaters representing Russia who won provisionally over the U.S., although the medal ceremony was postponed until the adjudication of Valieva’s case. Now, the athletes who represented the U.S. in figure skating in Beijing are awaiting their moment to be recognized.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland recognized the global anticipation for these athletes.

“We now anticipate the day when we can wholeheartedly celebrate these athletes, along with their peers from around the world,” she said. “Their moment is approaching, and when it arrives, it will serve as a testament to the justice and recognition they truly deserve.”

Valieva, now 17, tested positive when she was 15. The international anti-doping rules indicate that athletes under the age of 16 may face smaller punishments than those who are 16 and over. However, the CAS noted that Russia’s anti-doping rules do not differentiate based on age, which allowed her disqualification to proceed.

The International Skating Union (ISU) also came out with a statement regarding the CAS ruling on Valieva. The retroactive ban began four years of ineligibility on December 25, 2021, disqualifying her team’s performance in the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.