Beijing, February 14 (Xinhua) -- On February 14, Beijing time, the official website of the International Olympic Committee issued a statement saying that it had taken note of the decision of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport to allow the Russian Olympic Committee figure skater Vallieva to continue to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. However, for the sake of fairness, it was decided not to hold an award ceremony for the figure skating team competition during the Beijing Winter Olympics. If Vallieva wins the top three in the singles event, there will be no award ceremony.
Screenshot of the official website of the International Olympic Committee
On December 25, 2021, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) collected a sample of Valieva's test at the Russian Figure Skating Championships and sent it to a laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
On February 7, Vallieva won the figure skating team championship at the Beijing Winter Olympics, but fell into a doping storm after the game. On February 8, a laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, reported that the sample tested positive and that the banned substance detected was trimetazide. Vallieva was immediately temporarily suspended by the Russian anti-doping agency.
The International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling against Vallieva on the 14th, rejecting the international Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Skating Union's challenge to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, allowing Valieva to continue to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Vallieva competed at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
In response to a statement issued by the IOC, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has made it clear that the decision made by the ad hoc unit today is not a decision on whether Vallieva violated anti-doping rules. The decision was limited to the only question of whether to suspend Valieva at the Beijing Winter Olympics after the A sample taken on December 25, 2021, was positive.
The IOC said it would have to allow Vallieva to compete in the women's singles event on Feb. 15, according to the rules. However, for the sake of fairness, it was decided not to hold an award ceremony for the figure skating team competition during the Beijing Winter Olympics. If Vallieva wins the top three in the singles event, there will be no award ceremony.
In addition, in order to prevent Valieva from ranking in the top 24 in the February 15 short program, the International Olympic Committee asked the International Skating Federation (ISU) to allow the 25th runner to participate in the free skating competition on February 17, and the IOC will organize a dignified award ceremony after the end of Valieva's case after consultation with the athletes and the National Olympic Committee. (End)