Valieva Case and the Involvement of a Russian Law Firm in CAS Proceedings
Russian law firm BGP Litigation recently drew attention for its role representing Kamila Valieva, the figure central to a doping case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While the firm is known for its focus on commercial protection and corporate disputes, this assignment marked its first notable engagement in a sports-related matter. The coverage from the publication Soviet Sport highlighted this distinctive shift in practice areas for the firm.
The report notes that BGP Litigation’s primary specialization is commercial protection, and it underlines that the firm has no established affiliation with sports law. This distinction matters because it shows how a firm with a corporate background was brought into a high-profile athletic enforcement matter, illustrating the diverse paths law firms may take when a case intersects with international sport governance and anti-doping rules.
In late January, CAS confirmed the four-year suspension of the athlete, with the penalty effective from December 2021. The decision added another chapter to a high-stakes dispute unfolding under the global umbrella of anti-doping regulation and sports adjudication. The CAS ruling arrived after a sequence of procedural steps that brought Valieva into the international spotlight, while triggering discussion about how sanctions are applied in cases involving team colleagues, national representation, and the complexities of interim measures versus final findings.
Looking back to the 2022 Olympic Games, Valieva competed as part of the Russian national team and helped secure first place in the team event. In the individual discipline, she finished in fourth place. Following the disqualification in related proceedings, the International Skating Union (ISU) adjusted the team results, awarding Russia a bronze in the team standings while preserving Russia’s overall medal tally. In the wider context of that Olympic season, the United States claimed the gold medal in the team event, with Japan taking the silver for their performances in the same competition cluster.
At the national level, questions also arose surrounding other major events. In 2022, the Russian Championships saw the men’s and women’s events contested under intense scrutiny, with discussions about results and the implications of drug testing continuing to resonate within the sport. The European Championships that same year were notable for positive drug test results associated with various competitors, fueling ongoing debates about doping controls, testing procedures, and the integrity of athletic competition during a period of rapid change in the sport’s governance landscape.
In response to these developments, industry observers noted caution in interpreting the available public statements. A prominent figure in choreography, Daniil Gleikhengauz, commented on the doping allegations, emphasizing that the training staff and the core team around Valieva’s skating program maintained that their methods and environment did not involve prohibited substances. These statements contributed to the broader conversation about the culture within coaching teams, the roles of medical and support staff, and the standards governing ethical conduct in elite figure skating. The dialogue reflected a broader concern about how national programs, coaching strategies, and athlete welfare intersect with international anti-doping rules during moments of high visibility.
Overall, the Valieva case illustrates the evolving relationship between commercial law expertise and sports governance. It shows how a corporate law firm can participate in a high-profile international dispute while the sport itself navigates a highly scrutinized period. It also underscores the importance of clear compliance frameworks, rigorous testing protocols, and transparent adjudication processes in maintaining trust in international competition for athletes, teams, and fans around the world.