With Russia Stalling, Agency Refers Valieva Case to Sports’ Highest Court

In the first step of Valieva’s antidoping case, Rusada had been charged with investigating why she had tested positive before deciding if she was at fault and would serve a doping ban.

At the Beijing Olympics, an International Olympic Committee official told reporters that Valieva’s positive result might have come from contamination with heart medication that her grandfather was taking. It is unclear whether that defense is being used in the case now.

The rules for the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, say that it could appeal any decision Rusada makes (so, too, could the International Skating Union or Valieva herself). But in the absence of a Rusada decision, WADA officials hurried that process along, an action met with the cheers of many in the antidoping movement.

Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, said in a text message on Tuesday that WADA’s move was an indication that the public can’t trust the Russians to handle the case fairly.

“Finally, some progress,” he said.

Tygart added: “It’s a fairly straightforward case but at this rate, we can only hope the athletes waiting for their medals finally get their ceremony at the Paris Olympic Games, if they choose.”

WADA’s bold move does not mean that a conclusion in the case will come quickly. Cases that reach the Court of Arbitration for Sport can linger there for months before a ruling. But once a ruling is made, it is considered final.

Valieva, a minor who was already hailed as one of the most talented skaters in history, could face no ban and only receive a public warning, or she could be barred from the sport for several years.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/08/sports/olympics/valieva-doping-wada-cas.html