?Profoundly Disheartened?: Russian Kamila Valieva?s Doping Case Continues to Deprive Team USA of Their Olympic Medal

While doping is one of the most looked-down aspects in the sports world, it is also highly prevalent in the sphere. Despite the presence of several international anti-doping bodies, several athletes refuse to play fair and win on their own merit. On the other hand, the technicalities of events often deprive other athletes of their much-deserved recognition. One such case has marred the US team’s claim to an Olympic gold medal. The team was denied medals during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics due to Russia’s Kamila Valieva’s unresolved doping case.?

Kamila Valieva won the gold medal for figure skating in Beijing in 2022. While everyone celebrated the then 15-year-old prodigy?s massive success, the medal ceremony never happened because of her pending doping case. Unfortunately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has failed to come to a resolution so far in the case, despite a long wait. In fact, the apex legal body recently postponed its day of verdict even further.

A further addition to the massive 600-day delay

Kamila Valieva enjoyed an extremely celebrated status in the world of figure skating. The 17-year-old prodigy holds several world records to her name and reigns the figure skating domain. Despite her long list of accomplishments, a 2021 doping test blemished her image as a clean athlete. However, the case to prove her either guilty or innocent of doping at the 2021 Russian Championship is still pending. This rendered the US team medal-less and stuck with an unreceived silver. Whereas, Japan with an unreceived bronze medal. Hoping for a speedy action, the teams awaited their medals but unfortunately, that won’t be happening soon as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) adjourned its hearing until the second week of November.?

The CAS announced the further delay in the case through an official notice, further shared by a journalist on Twitter. Furthermore, the CEO of US Figure Skating has expressed their dismay at the added delay. A tweet posted by USA Today Columnist, Christine Brennan carried the caption, ?US Figure Skating just sent this statement to me, with CEO Tracy Marek saying the organization ‘is profoundly disheartened by the news of a delay in the CAS hearing.’? The tweet also carried a USA Today article carrying Marek?s full statement.

Tracy Marek said,??While we recognize the inherent complexities and time requirements of legal processes, the nearly 600-day wait without a resolution is undeniably another painful setback for our dedicated athletes. We emphasize the importance of transparency in this matter, as it greatly impacts our athletes.? Apparently, the hearing has now moved to 9 and 10 November because of an undisclosed documentation request.

The reason for yet another delay in the Kamila Valieva case

As per reports, the CAS has asked for further documentation to arrive at a conclusion on the case. Apparently, one of the parties in the court case has requested a previously unlisted file for the case. The timing of the request has raised suspicion as the request arrived on the very day a verdict was to be formed. However, the party that made the request was not disclosed by the CAS.

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Speaking to USA Today, the CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart said,??Of course, we all are for full and complete due process but this reeks of just further manipulation by the Russians and the system has to change to ensure this cannot continue to happen.? Kamila Valieva was allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics regardless of her unresolved doping case.

All stakeholders, including participating athletes, their home countries, and the fans who believe in the Olympics eagerly wish for the case to be resolved. Moreover, the delivery of a strong and quick decision is vital to deter anybody wishing to excel via unfair means.?

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