The failed check simplest got here to mild all the way through the Wintry weather Olympics, and it stays unclear if the drug check controversy will see the medal revoked.
The scandal continues to lengthen the awarding of medals to all 3 groups, silver for Group USA and bronze for Group Japan.
“The verdict on the result of the ROC crew within the Group Determine Skating tournament will also be taken…simplest after a last determination at the complete deserves of the case has been taken,” the ITA mentioned.
The case might be heard via the Court docket of Arbitration for Game (CAS), with a choice wanted ahead of the determine skating superstar’s subsequent tournament — the ladies’s singles brief program — on Tuesday, through which she is favourite to take gold.
In that listening to, the World Olympic Committee (IOC) will problem a choice via the Russian Anti-Doping Company (RUSADA) to raise a provisional suspension at the skater, in keeping with the ITA.
Responding to the debate, the ROC mentioned Valieva had “again and again handed doping checks” whilst already in Beijing and it’s taking measures to stay Valieva’s “truthfully gained” gold.
“The doping check of an athlete who examined sure does now not follow to the length of the Olympic Video games. On the similar time, the athlete again and again handed doping checks ahead of and after December 25, 2021, together with whilst already in Beijing all the way through the determine skating match. The entire effects are unfavorable,” the ROC commentary mentioned.
“The Russian Olympic Committee is taking complete measures to give protection to the rights and pursuits of the contributors of the ROC Group, and to stay the truthfully gained Olympic gold medal.”
Why was once Valieva allowed to compete?
The ITA, which leads the anti-doping program for the Beijing Wintry weather Olympics, mentioned Valieva’s drug pattern was once taken on the Russian Determine Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg on December 25.
Alternatively, it took till February 8 for a laboratory in Sweden to document it had detected a banned substance — someday after the ROC gained gold on the crew tournament in Beijing.
Hormone and metabolic modulators are a category of gear banned via WADA because of proof of athletes the use of them for efficiency enhancement, as they may be able to building up blood waft and toughen staying power.
Valieva was once instantly given a provisional suspension via Russia’s anti-doping company, which routinely prohibits athletes from participation in all sports activities.
The determine skater challenged the suspension on February 9 and, at a listening to that very same day, the Russian anti-doping company determined to raise the provisional ban — permitting her to proceed competing on the Olympics, in keeping with the ITA.
At 15, Valieva is a minor and due to this fact regarded as a “Safe Individual” underneath the Global Anti-Doping Code, this means that her identify does now not want to be disclosed to the general public.
The ITA mentioned it launched her identification following media experiences naming her in keeping with “unofficial knowledge,” and the ITA mentioned it “recognizes the need for authentic knowledge because of heightened public passion.”
Reliable reaction
Russian athletes are not able to compete within the Olympics underneath their nation’s identify because of sanctions from the IOC and WADA because of the rustic’s “systemic manipulation” of anti-doping regulations all the way through the 2014 Sochi Video games.
Talking to newshounds Friday, IOC Spokesperson Mark Adams mentioned the governing frame sought after to “expedite” the case.
“We are hoping that the entire factor will also be expedited within the passion of each athlete, now not simply the Russians, but additionally within the passion of all the athletes competing,” Adams mentioned.
The World Skating Union mentioned it’ll additionally workout its proper to attraction RUSADA’s determination to raise the ban on competing “and to invite CAS to reinstate the provisional suspension.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would now not verify experiences of a good check a number of the Russian determine skating crew on Thursday, pronouncing: “The one number one supply of knowledge will have to be the IOC.”
“It (the experiences) flared up amongst those that didn’t have verified knowledge,” mentioned Peskov. “As standard, now not figuring out the main points, everybody started to yell in every single place. We can now not sign up for this orderly row of yellers.”
CNN’s Rebecca Wright, Christine Brennan and Nathan Hodge contributed reporting.
