Olympic champion in ice dancing Tatyana Navka has voiced support for a controversial idea proposed by coach Eteri Tutberidze. The suggestion involves conducting polygraph tests for all participants connected to the Kamila Valieva doping case. Navka shared her perspective with RIA News, outlining why she believes this approach could help clarify the situation and give Valieva a chance to move forward.
She explained that in this sensitive matter, several options might be considered to ensure fairness and transparency, allowing Camila Valieva to defend her position. Navka described the proposal as a constructive option, noting that it comes from within the skating team’s leadership. Her assessment emphasized that the idea has merit and could potentially help all parties reach a clearer understanding of the event in question.
However, Navka acknowledged practical hurdles. She questioned whether the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would adopt or even seriously consider such a measure. While she found the concept intriguing, she also expressed doubts about the likelihood of it being accepted by these governing bodies, given the high stakes and the need for established legal and procedural standards that govern doping disputes.
The controversy centers on Valieva’s doping case from the 2022 Winter Games. A banned substance was detected in a sample taken from the skater in December 2021. The issue prompted calls to disqualify her from participating in the Olympic events. In a surprising turn, decisions on the eve of competition allowed Valieva to take part in the women’s individual event and the broader figure skating program, sparking intense national and international debate about fairness, due process, and the integrity of the sport.
Valieva did not win a medal in the individual event, but she contributed to Russia’s success in the team competition, which helped the team secure a gold medal in that category. If a positive ruling were to emerge later, it could jeopardize the team’s medal standing and trigger a cascade of consequences for the team’s record. The ongoing legal proceedings, including fresh hearings scheduled for November 9 and 10, keep the case in the spotlight. The proceedings have attracted international attention, with Valieva’s legal representation noted as coming from a United Kingdom-based lawyer, underscoring the global dimension of the dispute and the cross-border nature of sports governance in high-profile doping matters.
In related commentary, former figure skating coach Tatiana Tarasova had previously expressed a blunt viewpoint on coaching influence. Tarasova has publicly suggested that athletes may receive nutrition and guidance directly from coaches, highlighting the strong and sometimes controversial role that coaching staff can play in an athlete’s preparation and decision-making. This remark underscores the broader conversation about training culture within elite figure skating, including how athletes interpret instructions, manage their diets, and respond to the pressures of competition at the highest level. The dialogue around Tarasova’s remarks adds another layer to the discussion about responsibility, mentorship, and the ethics of training in Olympic sports, where every choice can carry significant consequences for an athlete’s career and reputation.
As the Valieva case continues to unfold, observers note that the sport’s leadership faces a delicate balance between safeguarding fairness and preserving the competitive opportunities that athletes deserve. Navka’s stance reflects a broader desire among some in the skating community to pursue more transparent and verifiable methods that could help restore confidence in the sport’s governing institutions. The discussion remains ongoing, with stakeholders watching developments closely and weighing the potential benefits of further testing, independent reviews, and reforms that might address concerns about due process while protecting athletes’ rights.
Ultimately, the case illustrates the complexity of doping governance in modern sport. It demonstrates how high-profile athletes, national teams, and international bodies must navigate competing priorities—legal standards, procedural fairness, and the public’s demand for accountability. The ongoing hearings and the diverse opinions within the skating world indicate that there is no simple solution, but a range of options remains on the table as the sport seeks to reinforce trust and integrity for current competitors and future generations of skaters.