American journalist Philip Hersh said that the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the disqualification of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva for four years was very harsh. Wrote this on social network X.
“Considering the first crime committed by a boy who was 15 at the time, the sentence was unjustifiably harsh. Deprive him of his results and medals, but give him a shorter period of disqualification. The rules allowed for a three-month warning or suspension. Even a two-year disqualification would have long since expired and given him a chance to return to competition.
I understand that we do not know much, including the rationale for such a decision. I hope we see the full text of the CAS case. Valieva deserves sympathy, unless she didn’t know she was being given a banned substance to begin with, although that’s unlikely. And those around him should also be investigated,” the journalist wrote.
On January 29, CAS disqualified Valieva for four years and voided the tournament results from December 25, 2021. For example, the positive result for the banned substance trimetazidine was understood after Russia’s victory in the team tournament at the 2022 Olympics.
On January 30, the International Skating Union (ISU) confirmed the new top three medalists in the 2022 Olympics figure skating team tournament. After Valieva’s results were annulled, the Russian team fell from first place to third place, while gold went to the USA and silver went to Japan.
The disqualification will deprive Valieva of many awards she has won since December 25, 2021. The champion of Russia – 2022, the European champion – 2022, the Olympic champion in the team championship – 2022, the Russian jumping champion – 2023 and the silver and bronze medal titles in the Russian championships – 2023 and 2024 lose their titles.
Previously in the USA statedHe said they were “incredibly pleased” with Valieva’s disqualification.