American figure skaters organized a coordinated protest to bring global attention to the ongoing 500-day review surrounding Russian skater Kamila Valieva. The timing and method of the demonstration underscored the broader debate over doping allegations and how they affect athletes’ careers and Olympic integrity.
During the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the United States team earned a silver in the team event. The gold was captured by Russia, which included Valieva among its members. The medal ceremony was postponed after a doping investigation was initiated in relation to Valieva’s case, highlighting the tension between competitive results and ongoing investigations in elite sports.
On June 24, 2022, participants from Team USA donated empty medal boxes to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. The gesture served as a symbolic reminder of the unresolved questions surrounding the Valieva situation and the desire for transparency in how such matters are resolved and communicated to fans and athletes alike.
The Sports Arbitration Court then scheduled hearings to review the Valieva matter, with sessions taking place from September 26 to 29. The proceedings represented a key moment in how international sports governance handles complex doping incidents that involve young athletes and cross-border jurisdictions.
Public reporting noted that a prohibited substance was detected in Valieva’s sample from December 2021, raising questions about the protective measures for athletes, the timeline of decisions, and how suspensions or accommodations might affect participation in major events, including the Olympic Games.
In January, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) disclosed that it had been informed by Russia’s anti-doping body, RUSADA, of a court decision related to Valieva. The ruling indicated that, in the view of the deciding body, Valieva did not violate anti-doping rules, a conclusion that sparked debate over the interpretation of test results, the responsibility of support staff, and the processes used to determine culpability in high-profile cases.
Earlier discussions in government circles emphasized that the Valieva proceedings should be kept separate from broader geopolitical considerations. The aim was to ensure that sport governance remains focused on fair play and due process, while avoiding potential political entanglements that could complicate the assessment of each case on its own merits.