Valentin Piseev, the honorary president of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, says that Kamila Valieva faces a steep path back to competitive sport following the disqualification. He spoke to RIA News, outlining his view that Valieva remains a monumental figure in ladies’ skating, noting that no prior skater has demonstrated the same singular blend of artistic expression and technical mastery that she has brought to the ice. While he harbors a wish for a comeback, Piseev acknowledges the road ahead will be challenging. He emphasized that Valieva would need immense resilience, including spiritual strength, as she navigates the consequences and the emotional toll of the suspension. The depth of her impact on the sport, he suggested, makes her absence felt across fans, peers, and the broader skating community.
CAS ruled on January 29 that Valieva committed a doping violation and imposed a ban that restricts her from competing through December 2025. The decision centers on a finding that the athlete tested positive for a banned substance, a consequence that has reverberated through the skating world and the narrative surrounding Russian sport on the international stage. The sanction temporarily removes Valieva from the sport’s most visible stages and raises questions about the future trajectory of her career, the support system around her, and the ways in which athletes manage pressure, scrutiny, and expectations from fans and sponsors alike. (Source: Court of Arbitration for Sport) (Source: RIA Novosti)
In published explanations, CAS noted that the circumstances included a complex putative chain of events surrounding the substance’s presence in Valieva’s body. The Russian side argued that the substance entered through a dessert prepared by Valieva’s grandfather, with the contention that substances used during the preparation could inadvertently contaminate food. This rationale became a focal point of debate as analysts and supporters weighed the likelihood of contamination versus intentional use, while the broader policy framework around doping controls and athlete responsibility remained a key element of the discussion. (Source: CAS reasoning) (Source: media reports)
The fallout extended beyond medals, with Valieva’s titles at the Russian Championships, the European Championships, and the Beijing Olympic Games being stripped. The removal of those medals signaled a formal recalibration of her competitive record and a reexamination of the era she helped define. The consequences ripple through teams, national programs, and the wider prestige of figure skating in Russia and internationally, prompting ongoing dialogue about governance, athlete welfare, and the integrity of sport under heightened scrutiny. (Source: CAS decision) (Source: official summaries)
Earlier reporting suggested additional coverage of Valieva’s case would be presented in Japan, illustrating how the case has become a global topic, spanning multiple media markets and compelling audiences to reassess the narratives around doping, training culture, and the duties of coaches, physicians, and organizations in protecting young athletes. The global media landscape reflects a wide spectrum of perspectives on the incident, the evidence, and the accountability mechanisms that govern elite sport. (Source: international media coverage) (Source: broadcasting outlets)