Kamila Valieva Doping Case: US Star Nathan Chen Calls It ‘A Win for No One’

The doping case of Kamila Valieva has, for the past 2 years, made waves in the figure skating industry, bringing along uncertainties and hope for justice. However, even when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced its decision on the 17-year-old’s 4-year ban from the sport, the sentiments still linger, based on each’s perspectives. Nathan Chen, as an athlete on a pedestal, stands to adorn them.

On the 29th of January, the CAS ruled that Kamila Valieva was found guilty of doping, thus imposing a ban and dismissing her competitive results. The decision has now led US figure skating star, Nathan Chen, on the centre stage to claim the gold. However, for Nathan, the underlying factors of the events leading up to it raise valid concerns.

Chen’s insights on Kamila Valieva’s case

Nathan Chen, the 24-year-old, is a remarkable force in the figure skating industry. The 3-time World Champion has navigated through academics, sports, and panel discussions owning to clear visions. “I think you as a person [have to] be like, ‘This is who I am, this is my identity, this is my passion…’ then you’ll be able to see results,” he says. Now, comes a definite answer to his Olympic gold, trust Nathan to have a view of the sport and all that Kamila Valieva’s case asserts and negates. “This decision is certainly a win for clean sport. However, the fact that this happened at all is a win for no one,” he tells CNN.

For the 24-year-old, the integrity of the sport stands atop after having played clean throughout his career. “Without clean sport, the integrity of the sport is diminished,” his words read. Nonetheless, after years of wait, and all that the events presented, Nathan and Team USA have found excitement. Now, after staying off the rink for months since the Olympics, Nathan might expect to see to himself contending; but the uncertainty remains.

Nathan Chen roots for the sport

Chen has been in the figure skating industry ever since he was an infant in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Growing ever since then, at age 24, the youngster stands as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time as he holds the highest winning percentage. However, now, after all that and more to his name, the Yale University student seems uncertain what the field has in store for him.

Also Read: Kamila Valieva Doping Case: How Did the Drug Trimetazidine Jeopardize the Figure Skater’s Career

“If I get to a position where I feel like that [internal drive] again is the motivator, then I’m more than happy to step back into that world,” he tells Olympics.com. But for now, swarmed by his academics, Nathan reveals to be happy for himself and excited to see where the sport is heading towards.

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