Dmitry Vasiliev, a biathlon athlete with two Olympic golds, weighs in on the CAS case involving Kamila Valieva and questions how coach Eteri Tutberidze could be unaware of the specifics around the protection provided to the skater. He spoke to Match TV about the episode, expressing strong opinions on the matter.
Vasiliev says he cannot imagine Tutberidze not knowing who offered protection for Valieva and how that protection was carried out. He adds that the incident carries heavy significance. In his view, Valieva deserved the most capable legal defense available. Given Tutberidze’s public statements about the protection issue, Vasiliev suggests that the seriousness of the CAS protection strategy may have been underestimated by some participants involved in the discussions. The comments point to a potential gap between expectations of robust legal representation and the actual execution of the defense strategy, which he believes should have been handled with greater gravity. [Match TV]
The Court of Arbitration for Sport announced a four-year ban for Valieva, with the sanction taking effect from December 2021. The decision came to light on January 29 and has since shaped the public conversation around the case. [CAS]
During the 2022 Olympic Games as part of the Russian national team, Valieva helped secure the team event title and finished fourth in the individual program. After the CAS ruling and the ensuing administrative adjustments, the International Skating Union assigned bronze to the Russian team in the team event while preserving the country’s overall medal tally. The United States claimed gold in the team event, and Japan earned silver in that edition. [ISU]
On January 31, Tutberidze voiced questions about the capacity and effectiveness of the legal team representing Valieva at CAS, signaling a broader debate about the competence and strategy employed in the defense. The exchange added fuel to the ongoing discussion about how best to navigate CAS procedures in high profile doping-related cases. [Tutberidze statements]
Earlier, Tarasova responded to calls to acknowledge the seriousness of Valieva’s disqualification, underscoring a tension between the desire for fair treatment and the realities of international sports governance. The dialogue reflects how coaches, athletes, and national bodies weigh the implications of CAS outcomes on athletes, teams, and competing nations. [Tarasova reaction]