Russian media reported last night (Wednesday) that the 15-year-old figure skater, Camila Valieva, was found positive for the use of a banned drug, all of which comes after the ceremony for awarding the Olympic gold medals, to her and her teammates, was postponed for unexplained legal reasons.
This is probably a test performed on the athlete on the eve of the Olympics, and most likely the drug she used, trimethazidine, which improves the blood supply to the heart and thus brings it to full maximization and consequently improves performance.
It is a drug that has been on the list of banned substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2014, and is from the same family of Maldonium, in which former tennis player Maria Sharapova, who was suspended in her wake, was caught using it.
The Russian Olympic Committee has so far refused to comment on the affair.
Figure skating is a prestigious sport for Russia, with which they have achieved extraordinary results at the Olympics and World Championships, and any move to punish Valieva or deprive the team of its medals could cause a national uproar.
Valieva is considered the biggest star of winter sports in Russia today, all of which she is only 15 years old, and her participation in the team competition was a significant part of winning her country gold, after first finishing the short and free exercise, while becoming the first woman in history to perform quad games. In the air with four rounds).
If that's not enough, it's a complicated legal issue because of her young age.
According to the WADA World Drug Prevention Code, athletes who commit drug offenses should be known by their public name, but this is not required if the person concerned is a minor under 18 years of age.
Valiva falls during training.
Complicated issue, Photo: EP
"We are doing everything we can to resolve this situation as soon as possible. I can not give you further details but we will do our best," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams.
The IOC (International Olympic Committee), the International Skating Union and the International Agency for Drug Testing during the Games all declined to comment on media reports that the delay was caused by a positive drug test.
The Russian Ministry of Sports said it was too early to respond to media reports about the reason for the rejection.
Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in enforcing the anti-drug rules, but denies running a state-sponsored drug program.
Its athletes compete in the Beijing Games without their flag and national anthem, due to sanctions against Russia for previous violations.
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