Russia doping at the Olympics? History may be repeating itself at the Beijing Games
Except they aren’t. Russia won gold in team figure skating Tuesday, but medals were not awarded Tuesday night. Insidethegames.biz, an Olympic-focused publication, reported the delay was rooted in an issue between Russian athletes and international anti-doping authorities. USA Today reported it was a positive test. Insidethegames broke it open: It was a positive test for 15-year-old figure skating phenom Kamila Valieva from before the Games.
Which would fit the facts of what has been disclosed, and what has not. The WADA Code states an under-18 athlete does not need to be identified. After that, the case is not entirely clear: When was the test, what was the specific result, and is the IOC-controlled Court of Arbitration for Sport limbering up to split the medal in half?
It would be a bombshell, if not quite a shock. Russia is competing as the Russian Olympic Committee for the second straight Winter Games, after competing as the Olympic Athletes from Russia in Pyeongchang, because Russia ran a sprawling international doping scam for several years before being caught and was let off with a change of clothes. Russia? Doping? At the Olympics? Why next you’ll be telling me that the Norwegians enjoy cross-country skiing, or wear pants.
But a 15-year-old? Even a brilliant 15-year-old skater who landed the first women’s quad in Olympic history already? Could her age be used to question whether she took a PED intentionally? Who was around her who could also be held responsible? The WADA Code specifies a provision for no fault or negligence, and the possibility of a reduction or elimination of sanctions.
more...
https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/opinion/2022/02/09/russia-doping-at-the-olympics-history-may-be-repeating-itself-at-the-beijing-games.html
= new reply since forum marked as read