An end to the drama?
Russian skater Camila Valieva received approval this morning (Monday) to compete in the women's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics that will open tomorrow despite failing a drug test before the Games.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued its ruling less than 12 hours after the end of the hasty hearing, due to the proximity to the start of the competition, according to which 15-year-old Valieva, the favorite to win gold in the women's individual competition, should not be temporarily suspended before a full investigation.
"The panel believed that preventing the athlete from competing in the Olympics would cause her irreparable damage in the circumstances of the case," said CAS CEO Matthew Reeve.
Now, Valieva and her fellow Russian skaters can aim for the first podium of women's figure skating in Olympic history.
The event begins with the short program on Tuesday and ends on Thursday with the freestyle.
Valiva falls during training.
Complicated issue, Photo: EP
Valiva was tested positive for the heart drug trimtazidine on December 25 at the national competition in Russia, but the result from the Swedish laboratory was not discovered until a week ago, after the Russian Olympic Committee won gold in the group competition.
Camila and Aliba.
Sedative siren, Photo: AP
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency immediately suspended her, then lifted the ban the next day, confusing the awarding of medals.
The IOC and others appealed and an expedited hearing was held on Sunday night in which Valiba testified via video.
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