Kamila Valieva: CAS to decide on Russian's participation after positive test, ROC says she has 'right to take part'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 11/02/2022 at 07:27 GMT
The International Testing Agency will lead an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee’s decision to lift a provisional ban on Kamila Valieva. She tested positive for a banned substance at the Russian national championships. The Russian Olympic Committee said in a statement that she tested negative "before and after" the test on December 25.
‘Perfect!’ – 15-year-old Valieva makes history for second day in a row at Olympics
Kamila Valieva's continued participation at the Winter Olympics will be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday.
The body confirmed reports that Valieva had tested positive for banned substance Trimetazidine at the Russian national championships in St. Petersburg in December.
The positive test – the statement added – was analysed and reported by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Sweden on February 8, one day after she had led ROC to team event success. The Adverse Analytical Finding led to an immediate provisional suspension by Russia’s anti-doping agency (RUSADA).
However, a challenge lodged by Valieva to the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee was upheld the following day - February 9. The reasoned decisions to lift the suspension will be issued shortly, the statement added.
However, the IOC has exercised its right to challenge that decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), ITA said. And with Valieva intending to compete in the individual competition on February 15, the IOC has exercised that right ahead of the release of the reasoned decision from RUSADA.
“The IOC will exercise its right to appeal and not to wait for the reasoned decision by RUSADA, because a decision is needed before the next competition the athlete is due to take part in,” the testing agency said.
The hearing will, the Associated Press reported, determine the validity of a provisional ban at the Beijing Olympics.
ROC issues statement saying Valieva 'repeatedly passed doping tests'
The Russian Olympic Committee released a statement on Friday morning saying that Valieva returned negative tests either side of the positive result on December 25, which "does not apply to the period of the Olympic Games".
The full statement from the ROC reads: “At the same time, the athlete repeatedly passed doping tests before and after December 25, 2021, including already in Beijing during the figure skating tournament. All results are negative.
“The provisional suspension status implies that the athlete from February 8, 2022 did not have the right to participate in Russian and international competitions until the final decision in her case is made.
“To protect the rights and interests of the Russian athlete, qualified lawyers were involved in this case, who provide the athlete with all the necessary legal assistance.
“In accordance with the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, the athlete requested RAA RUSADA to hold an expedited hearing regarding the provisional suspension applied to her.
“The hearings took place on February 9, 2022. Following the results of the hearings, the Disciplinary Committee of RAA RUSADA cancelled the temporary suspension applied to the Athlete.
“The decision entered into force immediately.
“In accordance with the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, the decision of the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of RAA RUSADA to lift a provisional suspension may be appealed by interested parties to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS).
“Thus, at present, K. Valieva has the right to train and take part in competitions in full without restrictions, unless the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes a different decision regarding her status in relation to the Olympic Games.
“In any case, on the merits of a possible anti-doping violation, a disciplinary investigation will be conducted by RAA RUSADA in accordance with the applicable rules in the prescribed manner.
“Given that the athlete’s positive doping test was not taken during the Olympic Games, the results of the athlete and the results of the team tournament during the Olympic Games are not subject to automatic review.”
- - -
Watch every moment of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on discovery+.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement