Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva cleared to compete at Olympics, court rules

[demmiblue]

Source: Boston Globe

Russian teenager Kamila Valieva has been cleared to compete in the women’s figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics despite failing a pre-Games drug test.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport released its ruling less than 12 hours after a hastily arranged hearing that lasted into early Monday morning that the 15-year-old Valieva, the favorite for the women’s individual gold, does not need to be provisionally suspended ahead of a full investigation. The court gave her a favorable decision in part because she was a minor or “protected person” and was subject to different rules from an adult athlete.

“The panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete at the Olympics would cause her irreparable harm in the circumstances,” CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said.

Now, Valieva and her fellow Russian skaters can aim for the first podium sweep of women’s figure skating in Olympic history. The event starts with the short program Tuesday and concludes Thursday with the free skate.

Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/14/sports/russian-figure-skater-kamila-valieva-can-compete-womens-event-court-rules/

[IronLionZion]

1. Russia is sketchy as hell

You would think they would have learned by now to stop doping their athletes.

[AngryOldDem]

4. They won't stop.

I’d like to know exactly what Russia has on these international sports bodies that it keeos getting passes to continue poisoning its athletes.

This ROC business was a crock from the start.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Now they are emboldened even more to dope children.

Disgusting.

[catsudon]

20. it is a shame now that

the only thing positive coming out of Russia is their athletes

[Dr. Shepper]

2. So they will just go on

overtraining and abusing girls, and keep the doping going. This will follow KV forever. Of course, once she is 17/18 and her body is spent, they will toss her to the side like all the other girls.

[Emile]

3. Performance enhancing drug okay, as long as its not weed!

[madaboutharry]

5. I would have been surprised if they did the right thing.

The IOC is correct in the statement they issued. Allowing her to compete undermines principles of fairness and removes credibility from the sport.

The Olympics have become a sullied joke.

[Rebl2]

8. I think

If it had been an American or other country, they would have disqualified them. IOC just seems to let Russia get away with it. Time to ban Russia from the Olympics altogether.

[madaboutharry]

12. The IOC wanted her banned.

It was The Court of Arbitration for Sport that ruled in her favor.

I think you’re right that if it had been someone else the decision would have been different.

[oldsoftie]

6. Surprising no one. Russia shouldn't even be competing since their LAST violation.

[DinahMoeHum]

7. Hoo boy, the PTB really "split the baby" with this decision.

Hope every other skater shuns her AND her handlers. This competition will be tainted, and the gossip/rumor sharks smell blood.

[Wuddles440]

10. Putin's grin...

must be almost ear-to-ear. Maybe not quite as much as it was in November of 2016, but close!

[Farmer-Rick]

14. His mistresses have been getting younger and younger

I'm sure Putin's checking her out for a new position in his household.

But aside from the pervert ruining Russia, why would an athlete need this drug? If she needs it, she should not be an athlete. The exertion could kill her. She's obviously taking it to enhance her performance. So no one's going to believe she's actually the Olympic level athlete she pretends to be because she taking drugs. There will always be an asterisk by her name.

[Auggie]

11. ROC Skating Gold* (hello, asterisk)!

[MacKasey]

13. If there are separate rules because she is a minor then she should not compete with adults

This is bs
The court gave her a favorable decision in part because she was a minor or “protected person” and was subject to different rules from an adult athlete.

[MontanaMama]

15. And Russia keeps getting away with their BS.

[AngryOldDem]

16. It's time to end the Olympics.

It’s a bit rich for the IOC to come out now and say that maybe it made a mistake in not banning Russia years ago (per thread posted here over the weekend), but still going on to tolerate its bullshit and even accomodating it by this “ROC” workaround. Performance-enhancing drugs provide a dangerous and unfair advantage, and go against this supposed “Olympic ideal.” Duh. This is what happens when you ignore your own standards. It bites you in the ass at some point.

If this farce (also scam) has to continue, just drop the pretense of fair competition and make it a free-for-all. (And don’t kick out people because they have weed in their system, if a kid is allowed to compete after taking heart medication.) Come up with something else for athletes to compete at a world level. It’s worked for the X Games.

Just don’t invite Russia.

[Danmel]

17. Maybe Xi doesn't want to piss Putin off.

A little subtle pressure on the IOC.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. They are a nation of cheaters.

Harsh for the individual athletes, but any Russian athlete should be banned, or they play under the banner or another country, if eligible.

Absolutely shocking in its brazenness their secret door urine exchange they had all set up for Sochi. You'd think they would be embarrassed and they'd have done a huge revamp of their Olympic program. Apologize and promise the world they will do better, and then show they are serious about it, take it on the chin, and change.

They still complain, and appeal every decision. Victim mentality.

In Canada, there was a complete overhaul and transparency after the Ben Johnson doping scandal. That was just one player. A public inquiry with over 100 witnesses, including Johnson. And new oversight systems set up to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I never saw any of that from Russia, only counter accusations and excuses.

[IngridsLittleAngel]

19. I keep waiting to hear from the noble knights fighting to protect women's sports..

After all, girls and women's sports are all under attack! This is a Serious Problem™ and it needs Serious Action™! Sports should be a safe space for females, and it's total injustice that these girls lost to a doped-up 15 year old Russian girl! They all should've had a fair chance to win, and it was denied because of the cocktail of drugs she's on!

And I know they're around. They have to be. I saw them just the other day, speaking up and fighting valiantly to protect female athletes!

Who is going to do something?! When is it going to be done?! This cannot be allowed to happen to female athletes! This is Serious™! This is the worst injustice in the world today and....

Wait. What's that about Kamila Valieva? She's.... Ohh... OHHHH. Nevermind. All good. This isn't a travesty after all. Move along. Nothing to see here. All female athletes are free and safe from Serious Issues™.