WADA says they did not know about the need to check Valieva's doping test before the 2022 Olympics
Camila Valieva. Photo: Evgenia Novozhenina / Reuters
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) condemned the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) away panel to lift the temporary suspension of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. The application is available on the organization's website.
WADA stressed that they are disappointed with the decision to allow the 15-year-old athlete to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. It is noted that the laboratory in Stockholm did not know about the need to check the doping test of the figure skater before the competition. In their opinion, the Russian side did not mark Valieva's sample as a priority for verification.
The agency added that an independent intelligence and investigation department would look into Valieva's case. In accordance with the provisions of the juvenile code, WADA will investigate the figure skater's support staff.
Earlier, on February 14, CAS lifted the temporary suspension from Valieva. The figure skater was allowed to participate in the individual tournament at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. The reason was the status of the “protected person” of the athlete and the late notification of a positive doping test.
After that, the head of the US Olympic Committee, Sarah Hirshland, condemned the decision. She urged the Olympic Movement to continue the fight for clean sport for the sake of athletes from all over the world and added that athletes have been deprived of the opportunity to compete in a fair manner.
