Valieva’s Positive Drug Test and What This Means for the Olympics
Words by Annisha Singh
Image Courtesy of Sergei Bobylev
A couple of weeks ago, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing ended and Russia was left under scrutiny. Predicted to win gold was fan favorite Kamila Valieva who placed fourth. This shocked the audience and those watching at home. Eventually, it surfaced that her drug test came back positive in December which meant she shouldn’t have been competing in the first place. The drug trimetazidine was found in her system, possibly giving her an unfair advantage against the other competitors. Many weren’t happy with Valieva and how the Olympic court handled this situation. The ultimate decision was made to let her continue competing and launch an investigation after the games concluded.
Valieva’s lawyers spoke out on her behalf when this news broke explaining how her grandfather used that medication and that there was “contamination” from the trimetazidine. This was enough to persuade the Court of Arbitration for Sport to allow her to compete.
Trimetazidine helps relieve chest pains in the body and it produces blood rapidly which could possibly result in better performance. What’s also concerning is that Valieva had this drug in her body while she was only 15. According to an NPR article, trimetazidine can cause negative side effects like “dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In rare instances it can lead to fast or irregular heartbeats, lightheadedness or fainting, and malaise.” Specifically, NPR mentions how people under 18 aren’t normally prescribed this drug as it could have a damaging impact on their bodies.
This incident sparked controversy because many believed she shouldn’t have been allowed to continue competing. A factor that was brought up was how sprinter Sha’ Carri Richardson wasn’t allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics when she tested positive for having marijuana in her system during the U.S. trials. Richardson voiced her frustration in a tweet saying, “Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines? My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady.” She expressed the double standard that she felt was shown between her case and Valieva’s, understandably displeased with the decision to allow Valieva to continue skating.
One of the precautions the International Olympic Committee had implemented was that a medal ceremony wouldn’t take place if Valieva placed first in the women’s free skate. Additionally, a doping investigation would have to be completed before proceeding with the ceremony.
In an unexpected turn of events, Valieva went up to skate and had multiple falls during her routine that resulted in her placing fourth. It was an unprecedented downturn from her previously flawless performances and first-place predictions. Valieva skated off the ice and broke down sobbing in front of everyone. There was hostility in the atmosphere, and many were quick to point out the lack of consolation Valieva received from her coaches after seeing how distraught and devastated she was. Coach Eteri Tutberidze seemed visibly upset on the live broadcast and did not seem to be comforting Valieva.
The winners of the women’s free skate turned out to be Anna Shcherbakova who received the gold, Alexandra Trusova taking home the silver, and Kaori Sakamoto receiving the bronze.
Valieva’s coaches and the ROC are being investigated by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency. Authorities are trying to establish how this drug was found in her system.
