Beijing Olympics doping case: CAS decision will determine whether Valieva can compete in women's singles, says IOC

CAS is ruling on an appeal against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency lifting Valieva's provisional ban after testing positive for banned angina drug.

By Reuters

Published: Mon 14 Feb 2022, 8:33 AM

Last updated: Mon 14 Feb 2022, 8:35 AM

The Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling on teenage Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva will determine whether she can compete in the women's singles at the Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Monday.

CAS is ruling on an appeal by the IOC, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Skating Union (ISU) against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) lifting Valieva's provisional ban after she tested positive for a banned angina drug last year.

CAS concluded its hearing on the 15-year-old early on Monday and is expected to announce its ruling around 2pm local time (0600 GMT), when Valieva has a scheduled practice session.

Advertising

The women's singles event takes place on Tuesday.

"I can't tell you the absolute gospel truth but my understanding is that the decision will tell you whether she will or will not be competing tomorrow," IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a news conference.

"The IOC will follow the Court or Arbitration for Sport's decision, whether we like it nor not.

"We will follow the decision absolutely because it is our job and we will follow that decision to the letter."

Valieva's sample was collected on December 25 at the Russian national championships but the result was only made public on February 8, the day after Valieva led the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to victory in the team event.

Valieva's provisional suspension was lifted by RUSADA on February 9.

Russian athletes are competing in Beijing under a neutral flag due to doping sanctions.

The medal ceremony for the team event has been delayed. The United States finished the second, with Japan third and Canada in fourth place.

ALSO READ:

Beijing 2022 Olympics: Kamila Valieva doping case ruling to be announced on Monday

Beijing 2022 Olympics: Russian skate star Kamila Valieva to testify in doping case hearing

Beijing 2022 Olympics: WADA asked to probe Valieva's entourage as hearing looms in doping case

Adams said it was unlikely that the medals would be handed out during these Games.

"All the other issues will have to be discussed further into the Games," he added. "This (the medals) will not be sorted out by this decision. That will probably not be sorted out during this Games."