Speed skating legend and public figure comments on Kamila Valieva case and doping debate
The Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova recently spoke about how a banned substance could have appeared in the body of figure skater Kamila Valieva. In a conversation with socialbites.ca, Zhurova responded to remarks by Olivier Niggli, the Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), who said Valieva was a victim in the broader doping issue. Zhurova suggested that those close to the athlete may not always know how an incident happened, emphasizing that without clear certainty, rumors can take hold. She warned against drawing conclusions that assign blame without solid evidence, noting that even a planting theory or family carelessness could be mentioned when details are uncertain.
Zhurova shared a personal reflection as a parent of an athlete and as someone familiar with the pressures surrounding performance and medication. She described a difficult period when medications she used contained prohibited ingredients. She recalled increasing the dosage during a challenging stretch and, at times, splitting tablets. She also recounted a moment when she neglected to wash a cutting board after preparing medicine, only to have her child later use the same board to prepare food. The memory, she said, highlighted how easily careless moments can occur in everyday life and how important it is for families of athletes to be vigilant about such risks.
From these personal experiences, Zhurova argued that Kamila Valieva’s example should be shared widely to remind parents of athletes to be extremely careful in everyday routines. She described the fear she felt upon realizing what she had done and suggested that perspectives from a decade ago would have been more easily accepted, whereas today they require stronger justification. The point, she said, is not to cast blame but to promote heightened awareness among families who support young athletes.
On January 29, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Valieva had violated anti-doping rules, disqualifying the skater and prohibiting participation in competitions until December 2025. The ruling also barred her from practicing at state-supported skating facilities. The CAS decision underscored the seriousness of the case and its impact on the athlete’s competitive trajectory.
On February 7, CAS published a detailed rationale for Valieva’s case. Beyond the banned substance trimetazidine, the analysis identified three permissible substances in the skater’s blood: ecdysterone, hypoxene, and L-carnitine. The document noted that Valieva reportedly used a large number of medications and supplements between 2020 and 2021, which contributed to the complexity of the case and the need for careful review by sports authorities.
As a result, Valieva was stripped of several top accolades, including a gold medal from the 2022 European Championships and the Olympic title won in Beijing, along with the status of Russian champion. The case continues to influence discussions about doping controls, athlete support systems, and the responsibilities of families and coaches in safeguarding clean sport. The ongoing dialogue emphasizes the importance of transparency, thorough investigation, and continuing education for athletes and their support networks.
Previously, Zhurova had commented on Niggli’s statements, supporting a cautious approach that preserves innocence until facts are firmly established. The discourse around Valieva’s case remains a focal point for policymakers, sporting bodies, and athletes alike, illustrating how the intersection of performance, health, and ethics shapes contemporary sport. This ongoing conversation highlights the need for comprehensive education and robust safeguards to protect young athletes and uphold the integrity of competition. [Citation: WADA statements and CAS rulings, with contextual analysis by sports authorities and commentators].