This is the story of a scandal in figure skating. Another ? Yes, another one. This time, it involves Canadians. Russians. A grandfather with heart problems. His gifted granddaughter. And at the heart of all desires: an Olympic medal.
This story is the story of Kamila Valieva.
Maybe you remember her. It is this young Russian skater who was able to participate in the Beijing Games, despite a positive doping test. As she was only 15 years old, the World Anti-Doping Agency had deemed her a “protected person”. Understand: a minor at risk of being manipulated by a parent, a coach or a State. His case, then under investigation, had not been publicized before the team competition.
Valieva first won the short program of the team competition hands down, coming close to the world record. Then, in the free program, she dropped all her rivals by more than 30 points. A canyon in figure skating. His two performances allowed Russia to win the gold medal.
Pardon. His two performances allowed the unnamed country to win the gold medal – with Russia officially banned from the Olympics.
However, the next day, there was no medal ceremony. Nor the day after tomorrow. Nor ever, in fact. Because in the meantime, his doping case has been revealed. Valieva defended herself by saying it was the fault of her grandfather, who contaminated a drink after taking medication to treat heart problems. Russia put pressure on it. Valieva was able to participate in the individual program, where she collapsed, in what remains the saddest sporting event I have covered in my career.
Why am I telling you about it today? Because since then, his case has progressed. On Monday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport delivered its verdict. Valieva was found guilty of doping. His sanction: a four-year suspension, and a mention of disqualification for all his results at the Olympic Games. So far, so good – except for the Russians.
On Tuesday, the International Skating Union followed up by publishing the new podium for the team competition at the Beijing Games, which takes into account Valieva’s disqualification.
Gold: the United States.
Silver: Japan.
Bronze: …
…
…
The land without a name.
* * *
In athletics, when a member of a relay undergoes a positive doping test, their entire team loses their awards. Usain Bolt was thus stripped of an Olympic gold medal a posteriori, after the disqualification of a teammate. The British had to give back a silver medal won in the 4 x 100m at the Tokyo Games. Ditto for the Russians, who finished second in the 4 x 400 m at the Rio Games.
In figure skating?
Logically, it should be the same, right? Well, the regulations for the team competition – a new event in 2022 – are unclear. The most applicable rule in the circumstances is 353(4)(a), which reads:
“Disqualified competitors will forfeit their place and will be officially noted in the interim and final results as disqualified. Competitors who completed the competition and were initially lower placed than the disqualified competitor(s) will move up the rankings accordingly. »
Here is the initial ranking.
Here is the final ranking, if Valieva’s points had been redistributed to her competitors.
However, the International Skating Union has adopted another calculation method. Yes, she erased Valieva’s points, as she should. Except that she did not “move” the other competitors up a rank. She left them with the points distributed for their initial rank.
So rather than collecting 10 points for her “new” first place in the short and free programs, the Canadian Madeline Schizas only had 9. Consequence: the Russians are ahead of the Canadians by a small point.
It’s ridiculous. So much so that it boggles the mind. “It is nonsense that Valieva is suspended for four years, and that Russia keeps a bronze medal,” commented to USA Today the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart.
The fair and just result would be the application of specific disciplinary rules, and the award of the bronze medal to Canada.
Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency
Canadians are obviously outraged. The Canadian Olympic Committee said it was “extremely disappointed” with the decision, which it could appeal. “This is a reminder of the harm caused by doping, and of the essential nature of a fair and safe sports system in this country and around the world. »
This story is a complete mess. For Canadian skaters. For figure skating. For the Olympic movement. But also for the young Kamila Valieva who, at 15, was the victim of a malicious entourage.
Adults ruined his career and his adolescence.
They are the ones who deserve the heaviest sanctions.