2022 Olympics: Individual skating medal ceremony won't be held if Russia's Kamila Valieva finishes in top 3
No medal ceremonies will be held during the 2022 Beijing Olympics for events involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva after she was cleared to compete despite a positive drug test.
The International Olympic Committee responded Monday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Valieva could compete at the Beijing Olympics after her positive drug test prior to the games. The Russian Olympic Committee won gold in the team skating event, but the IOC said that "in the interest of fairness to all athletes," it "would not be appropriate to hold the medal ceremony" for this event during the Beijing Olympics because "it would include an athlete who on the one hand has a positive A-sample, but whose violation of the anti-doping rules has not yet been established on the other hand."
Additionally, Valieva is set to compete in the women's single skating competition, but the IOC said that should she place within the top three, "no flower ceremony and no medal ceremony will take place" during the Beijing Olympics.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that preventing Valieva from competing would do "irreparable harm," also saying her drug tests in Beijing have been clean and that there were "serious issues of untimely notification" in the positive result received on Feb. 8 after a test on Dec. 25. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it was "disappointed by the message this decision sends," as "athletes have the right to know they are competing on a level playing field," and "unfortunately today that right is being denied."
The IOC said Monday that it will allow Valieva to compete in the women's single skating competition on Feb. 15, as it "has to follow the rule of law." But the committee also noted that the Court of Arbitration for Sport didn't rule on whether Valieva violated the anti-doping rules, and it said it will "organize dignified medal ceremonies once the case of Ms Valieva has been concluded."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published