Russia’s national anti-doping agency (RUSADA) voiced optimism of a just decision in the doping case of figure skater Kamila Valieva, pending a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The 15-year-old Kamila had tested positive for a banned substance called trimetazidine, used to treat angina, at the Russian national championships in December 2021. Kamila’s team claimed that the positive test may have been a result of her grandfather’s heart medication mix-up. The positive result was only made known a day after she assisted the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in securing the team gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022.
According to a CAS statement on Friday, the hearing had concluded and a final verdict was expected to be delivered in late January. The Lausanne-based CAS, sport’s highest court, had commenced hearings on the case in September but adjourned proceedings after requesting additional documentation. This case was filed after a ruling made by RUSADA’s disciplinary commission that found Kamila responsible for a violation while bearing “no fault or negligence.” RUSADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Skating Union (ISU) are contesting the disciplinary commission’s decision, with RUSADA warning of “appropriate consequences” and ISU and WADA seeking a suspension for Kamila.
The case has sparked outrage among her competitors due to a considerable delay in awarding medals for the team event at the Beijing Games. Frustration has continued to mount among the public and sports enthusiasts eager for a resolution to the case.