China News Service, March 8 (Xinhua) According to a TASS news agency report on the evening of the 7th local time, Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Chairman Alexander Kogan said that figure skater Kamila Valiyeva has been removed from the Russian national team.
"Valyeva is not yet a member of the national team, everything is done in accordance with legislative documents." Kogan said.
Image source: Screenshot of TASS report
The cause of this incident dates back to January this year.
On January 29, Beijing time, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a statement stating that Kamila Valiyeva was sentenced to a four-year ban starting from December 25, 2021, because it was found that she violated Anti-doping rules.
At the same time, her competition results obtained from December 25, 2021 to the present will be cancelled.
Valyeva was born in 2006 and will only turn 18 in April this year.
She was less than 16 years old when she competed in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
At that competition, Valyeva helped the Russian Olympic Committee delegation win the figure skating team gold medal.
Kamila Valyeva competes at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
(File photo) Photo by China News Service reporter Mao Jianjun
Since then, the International Skating Union has recalculated the figure skating team results of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The score points obtained by Valiyeva were cancelled, and the Russian Olympic Committee delegation lost the gold medal won in the figure skating team event.
After the gold medal was revoked, the Russian Figure Skating Federation issued a statement saying that the integrity of the athletes on the team was impeccable and that it "firmly disagrees with the punishment imposed on Kamila Valiyeva by the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
The Russian Figure Skating Federation stressed that it will take all necessary measures, including in court, to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the team and athletes.
File photo of Valieva during the competition. Photographed by China News Agency reporter Li Jun
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, the Russian Olympic Committee also stated on January 30, local time, that it would ban Russian figure skater Kamila Valiyeva and cancel the Russian Olympic Committee delegation at the Beijing Winter Olympics. He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over his team skating gold medal.
Image source: Screenshot of Russian Satellite News Agency report
In addition, the Russian Satellite News Agency stated in another previous report that Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that the punishment was a politicized decision and Russia would appeal.
Peskov emphasized that the interests of athletes will always be protected: "If there is any appeal mechanism, of course we should use it." He also said that no matter what decisions are made by international sports organizations, Russians will always treat Kamila Valiyeva and other figure skaters as Winter Olympic champions.
(over)