![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kamila.jpg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kamila.jpg?width=600)
Following the uproar, over the doping scandal involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva,18, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dealt a blow in January by enforcing a four-year ban and revoking her gold medal from the team event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. This ruling was announced two years after the incident caused ripples in the figure skating community clouding Valieva’s future.
However, amidst the gloom, a glimmer of hope emerges as the CAS announces a hearing on Russia’s appeals regarding Valieva’s case. The outcome of this hearing could potentially overturn the ban, paving the way for Valieva’s redemption and the possibility of the US team receiving their rightful gold medal at the Paris Olympics in August.
Big Olympic figure skating news: the Court of Arbitration for Sport will hold a hearing Wednesday on all three of Russia’s appeals in the Kamila Valieva doping case. Dismissal of them all would clear the path for the US team gold medal ceremony August 7 during the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/hyjbhyOhvu
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) June 10, 2024
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The rise and fall of Kamila Valieva- A timeline
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The drama began during the Russian Figure Skating Championships on December 21, 2021. Competing amidst a field of formidable Olympic contenders, Valieva showed her prowess on December 24, 2021, in the short program, securing an impressive score of 90.38. The following day, during the free skate event, Valieva further solidified her dominance with a score of 193.10, leaving her competitors trailing by nearly 20 points. Her cumulative score of 283.48 marked a significant 35-point lead over the second-place contender. However, amidst her triumph, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) collected a sample from Valieva for testing, casting a shadow over her remarkable achievements.
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During the European Figure Skating Championships held in Tallinn, Estonia in January 2022 Kamila Valieva showcased her skills again in the women’s individual competition. Scoring 90.45, in the program she secured the leading position. She achieved a new record, for the highest score ever seen in this event.
Another breathtaking moment attributed to a figure skater occurred in February 2022 at the Beijing Winter Olympics, performing as part of the team event in the women’s single skating short program was Kamila Valieva. It has a very high overall rate of efficiency, scoring 90.18, she climbed to the top position and gave an amazing to-watch performance almost flawless where she performed a triple axel that placed the Russian Olympic Committee in the first level.
On February 7, 2022, she was again at her best, and in line with the ROC in team final free skate helping them secure their gold. But the off-cam drama was quite the opposite, especially when news that she is tested positive for prohibited substances which led her to a 30-day provisional suspension. Even in September-October 2022, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency decided to investigate the case of Valieva, but the results of the investigation were never disclosed due to the confidentiality of the case. Then, WADA complained about this delay raising concerns that led to the formulation of a formal notice issue to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency to venture the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in case of non-resolution.
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On January 13, 2023, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency determined that Valieva had used doping but stated that it was not due, to any fault or negligence resulting in no sanctions being imposed. The World Anti-Doping Agency expressed concerns about the decision’s compliance. They hinted at an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Subsequently from September 25, 2023, closed-door hearings took place at the Court of Arbitration, for Sport to address cases involving Valieva and anti-doping organizations.
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At the end of January 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport delivered its verdict on Valieva, handing her a four-year ban from skating due to her Anti-Doping Rule Violation during the Russian Figure Skating Championships in December 2021. The decision led to the disqualification of all competitive results from December 25, 2021, onwards, including the stripping of gold medals from Russia in the team event at the Olympics, which were then awarded to the United States. Additionally, Valieva’s European Championships win was nullified, granting Shcherbakova the gold. Currently, the Court is set to hold a hearing on June 12th, 2024 for Russia’s appeals in the Kamila Valieva doping case.