Belgian figure skater Luna Hendrix discussed doping scandals in Russian figure skating with a light touch of humor.
The comments focused on the three Russian women who shared the podium under one coach, and one of them faced a positive doping test. Hendrix remarked that the controversy raised questions about how a skater, even at a young age, could perform demanding jumps. Yet he cautioned against drawing conclusions and emphasized the possibility that some athletes compete clean while others may not.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling on January 29 stating that Valieva was guilty of doping and disqualified her from competition through December 2025. The decision also restricted training access to state ice facilities for the time being.
On February 7, CAS released a detailed rationale for Valieva’s case. In addition to the banned substance trimetazidine, the analysis identified three permitted substances in the skater’s blood: ecdysterone, hypoxene, and L-carnitine. The document notes that the Russian athlete reportedly used nearly 60 medications and supplements during 2020 and 2021.
Valieva was stripped of her gold medals from the 2022 European Championships and the Beijing Olympic Games, as well as the title of Russian champion. The ruling underscored the seriousness with which doping controls are enforced at the highest levels of international skating.
Observers noted shifts in the competitive landscape, particularly regarding the presence of Russian athletes in major events. The broader context includes ongoing discussions about fairness, athlete health, and the integrity of sport across global competitions.