The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) announced on Friday its decision in the doping case that rocked the sporting world during last year’s Olympics in Beijing. The case will almost certainly be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

– We are aware of the results and have asked to be sent a full justification, which we will read carefully to determine whether the results comply with the guidelines in the anti-doping code, said a statement from Wada.

– Based on known elements of the case, we are concerned about the conclusion that the athlete was irresponsible, and we will not hesitate to exercise our right to appeal to CAS if we deem necessary.

Wada has repeatedly called for a ruling in the young figure skating star’s doping case. In November, Wada president Witold Banka announced that patience had run out and CAS was asked to investigate the matter. Wada had requested a four-year ban for Valieva starting December 25, 2021, when she tested positive in connection with the Russian championship.

The Rusada sentencing committee had concluded that Valijeva had ingested a banned substance, but she is not to be blamed for that, or for negligence. He was not subject to any penalty other than disqualification from the competition on the day the test was taken.

Team gold is at stake

15-year-old Valijeva helped secure gold for the ROC team in the team competition at the Olympics last February. She also won the women’s short program before falling short in the freestyle. He was then put under immense pressure after it was discovered that he had passed a positive test at the Russian championships in Space Christmas 2021.

There were traces of the banned substance trimetazidine in his sample. He had to go through a CAS hearing before being allowed to compete in individual Olympic competition. After an unsuccessful free run, he finished in fourth place.

As a result of the doping case, the victory ceremony in the team competition was postponed, and the medals have not been awarded. If the Russian ROC team is disqualified, the gold will go to the USA.

Protected

Valieva’s young age makes handling doping cases complicated and time-consuming. Rusada also decided that the doping case would be kept secret because it involved a “protected person” (due to the age of the athlete).

This means that trial dates, decisions or other details will not be made public.

Instead, Wada has now issued the decision, having been briefed.

Wada is now waiting for justification before deciding what to do next.