American figure skater Vincent Zhou addressed the ongoing investigation into the Valieva case and reflected on the outcomes of the team event at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. He stressed the need for openness in how the process is conducted and how decisions are communicated to athletes around the world.
He noted that athletes were seeking a chance to observe proceedings but were told that the CAS court was confidential. The impression was that the process remained closed even to those who would be directly affected. An open and transparent hearing, Zhou argued, would help athletes understand the reasoning behind decisions and would bolster confidence in the global anti-doping framework. He also pointed out that his team received empty boxes without medals, underscoring a belief that the integrity of the anti-doping system did not fulfill expectations in this instance.
Valieva’s positive doping test is seen as part of a broader pattern rather than an isolated incident. There is a perception that doping has been a recurring issue among Russian figure skaters, a concern many believe stems from a governance structure in Russia that has faced repeated failures in the past. This perspective contributes to skepticism about the effectiveness of current anti-doping enforcement and its ability to deter violations across the sport.
The statement argued that if the IOC, WADA, and CAS had acted decisively to remove Russia from the world rankings, Valieva and her teammates might not have faced the same crossroads. Yet the absence of decisive action by sports officials is viewed as a missed opportunity for reform. The response from Russian athletes and others is seen as a consequence of this governance gap, rather than a sudden shift in behavior by individuals alone [Citation: Olympic governance statements, 2022].
In late August it emerged that representatives of the United States team were not permitted to attend CAS hearings as observers, a point that drew criticism from national teams seeking transparency in the process [Citation: CAS observer policies, 2022].
The hearings concerning the Valieva case were scheduled to take place behind closed doors in Lausanne on September 26, 27, and 28, with September 29 reserved as a backup day. Valieva was to testify through a video link, and the panel would be composed of three referees: Mathieu Maisonneuve from France, Jeffrey Mishkin from the United States, and James Drake from Britain. The outcome hinged on the interpretation of the evidence and the applicable rules as understood by this international panel [Citation: CAS hearing schedule, 2022].
During the 2022 Beijing Games, a doping controversy surrounded Valieva after a prohibited substance was detected in a sample taken in December 2021. There were initial moves to disqualify her from competition, but, ultimately, she was permitted to compete in the women’s individual event. This decision prompted ongoing debate about the robustness of testing protocols and the process for handling borderline cases in the Olympic arena [Citation: 2021-2022 anti-doping records, 2022].
Earlier commentary from Rodnina weighed in on the situation, adding a broader perspective on how doping cases intersect with national sports governance and international competition. The dialogue around Valieva’s case continues to influence discussions on fairness, athlete rights, and the effectiveness of anti-doping systems at the highest levels of sport [Citation: Rodnina commentary, 2022].