A Russian figure skating case drew the attention of a state figure once involved in sports governance, Nikolai Valuev, who commented on a four-year disqualification surrounding Kamila Valieva. He described the situation as turning Russia into a scarecrow facing a persistent wind, suggesting that the country has been cast into a role where it is viewed more as a symbol of fear than as a standard-bearer of athletic achievement. Speaking with a national sports outlet, he argued that Europe is ready to confront doping issues with greater intensity, noting that in Spain, the United States, and several other nations, the penalties and scrutiny associated with doping can be different from those seen in Russian sports. He criticized the international framework for not addressing the wider, state-level dynamics that he believes continue to shape sporting decisions and the consequences that follow. The deputy urged a move away from focus solely on punishment toward a broader, more transparent discussion about systemic controls, oversight, and the structures that either enable or curb doping practices, calling for real talks about how to strengthen integrity across the board.
