Russian journalist and commentator Dmitry Guberniev linked two high-profile doping cases involving the world No. 2 in tennis and a top Russian skater by pointing to the same banned substance turning up in their tests. His remarks touched a nerve in a debate many see as rooted in a stubborn tradition of public defense in sport, sometimes described in connection with the old idea of Soviet sport. “They somehow defended themselves, which means their arguments were convincing. Now we are looking for Valieva’s grandfather, who has since disappeared in the forest, and we are still shouting at him: Hey, grandfather, where are you?” Guberniev said, underscoring how a vivid metaphor can sharpen a dispute that many view as a clash between loyalty to athletes and the demands of clean sport. The exchange highlighted how quickly public sentiment can swing from sympathy to suspicion when doping becomes central to national conversation, turning a testing moment into a wider cultural event. According to Reuters.
Valieva faced a four-year sanction at the start of 2024 after trimetazidine appeared in a doping sample taken at the Russian Championship in 2021. The case triggered intense discussion about how a substance might enter an athlete’s system indirectly, with supporters suggesting a grandparent’s medication could be the source, while critics maintained that any trace still breaches the rules. The consequences reflected the seriousness with which trimetazidine is treated under anti‑doping regulations, and the episode intensified scrutiny over how explanations are constructed and verified in Russian sport, especially when emotions and national pride are involved. According to Reuters.
In August 2024, Swiatek’s test reportedly detected the same drug, leading to a one‑month suspension that caused her to miss major events in Seoul, Beijing and Wuhan and to forfeit prize money earned at Cincinnati. The outcome sparked renewed questions about the consistency of penalties across sports and how similar offenses are judged in different disciplines. The episode added to a growing narrative about the need for clear, enforceable rules and transparent processes to preserve fair competition for athletes around the world. According to Reuters.
Earlier coach Tatiana Tarasova weighed in on the discourse, describing what she saw as injustice in the Swiatek case and pointing to Valieva’s situation as a reminder of broader inconsistencies. Tarasova’s remarks underscored a long-standing debate about double standards, accountability and the role of public perception in shaping how doping matters are treated across sports and national teams. In this climate, every new development tends to reverberate beyond the individual athletes, influencing policy discussions, coach education, and the expectations of fans who crave fair play. According to Reuters.