Four-time biathlon Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov believes that Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva should return to big sport “RB Sports”.
“He should go back to big sport. You can’t give up, you have to have character. History knows cases of athletes returning after disqualification,” said Tikhonov.
On January 29, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended Valieva for four years for violating anti-doping rules due to the presence of a banned substance in her blood. The penalty period begins in December 2021.
As part of the Russian national team at the 2022 Olympic Games, Valieva took first place in the team tournament and fourth in the individual championship. After his disqualification, the International Skating Union (ISU) awarded the Russians third place, without depriving Russia of the overall medals. Gold went to the US team and silver went to the Japanese team.
Former CSKA striker Valery Masalitin didn’t ignore itValieva may have been doped.