The 15-year-old Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned heart medication at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Valieva competed in the figure skating team event, leading a win for Russia, however, her positive test was announced a day later. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not allow them to proceed with the medal ceremony until Valieva’s doping case was resolved, which could take months.  

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency suspended Valieva from participating in any further 2022 Olympic events, but her suspension was cancelled a day later by the organization’s Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee. The Court of Arbitration for Sport allowed Valieva to skate in the women’s short program and although she was under pressure, she was able to advance to the free skating competition. Valieva did not perform her best during the free skate program, having multiple falls throughout her routine and finishing in fourth place.   

Valieva was allowed to perform because she is a minor and is considered a “protected person” but she was the center of a doping scandal. The IOC President Thomas Bach questioned whether 15-year-old athletes should be competing while being put under such pressure because it can harm their mental health. 

Russia is known for doping violations and it has resulted in at least 43 Olympic medals being stripped from Russian athletes over the years. The World Anti-Doping Agency and the IOC have disagreed on many points when assessing doping cases, resulting in their inability to cooperate in a social performance to be reported by the media. The Olympics encourage the practice of sport in society and having an athlete allowed to compete that has tested positive for a banned substance is not enforcing equality in sport or society.  

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Featured Image: The 15-Year-Old Russian Figure Skater Kamila Valieva During the Free Skate Program at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games (Source: Nikolay Muratkin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)