Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva shared a new update on her Telegram channel, offering a glimpse into her strength training routine. The clip showed a sequence of weighted squats, jumping jacks, and calf-strengthening exercises, illustrating the training discipline behind a top athlete’s regimen.
On January 29, 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Valieva was guilty of doping and imposed a ban. The athlete is prohibited from competing in tournaments until December 2025 and cannot train at state skating facilities during that period. The decision marked a significant turn in the case and sparked widespread discussion about eligibility, competition rights, and the rules governing sport at the highest level.
On February 7, 2024, CAS published its reasoning in the Valieva case. In addition to the ban on trimetazidine, the report identified three permitted substances present in the skater’s blood. The finding noted more than 50 supplements containing ecdysterone, hypoxene, and L-carnitine were detected, prompting scrutiny of supplement use and testing protocols within elite sports.
The figure skating results were heavily affected. Valieva was stripped of the gold medals earned in the team events at the Russian and European Championships as well as the Olympic Games in Beijing. The Russian team finished with the bronze in that team event, while the United States earned the gold and Japan the silver in those competitions. The aftermath of the ruling reverberated across national teams, fans, and national skating federations as they reassessed podiums, eligibility, and the integrity of the sport.
Earlier in their careers, other prominent athletes in Russian sports had notable personal milestones; Elena Radionova and football player Konstantin Kuchaev were reported to have a child, a fact noted in the context of broader athlete life events.