The Russian Olympic figure skater who failed a doping test has been cleared to compete, but she cannot receive any medals or be part of an awards ceremony until the case is closed. Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old athlete, will not be able to take the podium if she places in an event, the New York Times reported.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a statement confirming the Russian team will not have a ceremony for the event they won last week.
According to the IOC statement, “Should Ms. Valieva finish amongst the top three competitors in the women’s singles skating competition, no flower ceremony and no medal ceremony will take place during the Olympic Winter Games.”
The statement went on to say that the IOC would hold “dignified medal ceremonies once the case of Ms. Valieva has been concluded.”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cleared Valieva less than 12 hours after a hearing was arranged, according to CNBC. The IOC had asked the panel to keep Valieva’s suspension in place.
After the decision that Valieva would be allowed to compete was announced, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee released a statement in opposition, ESPN reported.
“We are disappointed by the message this decision sends,” the statement said. “Athletes have a right to know they are competing on a level playing field. Unfortunately, today that right is being denied. This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia.”
According to CNBC, Valieva is considered a “protected person” and subject to different rules because she is a minor.
CAS Director-General Matthieu Reeb said the panel felt that “preventing the athlete to compete at the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in the circumstances.”
The ruling also cited fairness issues and “serious issues of untimely notification.”
Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication, at the Russian National held on December 25, according to the New York Times. However, the results were not received until February 7, after the Beijing Games had begun.
The American team came in second place in last week’s event and will leave Beijing unsure of their medal status. If Valieva and the Russian team are ultimately suspended, America will move from silver to gold. That would put Japan at silver and Canada at bronze, CNBC reported.
In a statement, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said, “We are devastated that they will leave Beijing without their medals in hand, but we appreciate the intention of the IOC to ensure the right medals are awarded to the right individuals.”
The CAS ruling allows Valieva to skate, but a final decision about her current gold medal and any others she may receive will be decided after the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) does a more thorough investigation. According to CNBC, the World Anti-Doping Agency can appeal any RUSADA ruling.
Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, was interviewed by the Russian television network Channel One regarding the situation.
“This is a very complicated and controversial situation,” Tutberidze said. “There are many questions and very few answers.”
She added, “we are absolutely confident that Kamila is innocent and clean.”
