2022 Olympics: Russia insists team skating medals aren't 'subject to revision' amid Kamila Valieva doping case
Russia is insisting the results of the Olympics' team figure skating competition are final, no matter what happens in the doping investigation into Kamila Valieva.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov, president of the Russian Olympic Committee, on Thursday said Russia "strongly" disagrees with the International Olympic Committee's statement that the results of the team tournament and women's singles competition at the Beijing Olympics are "preliminary" because Valieva's doping case isn't resolved. Instead, he said Russia is insisting the medals can't be redistributed, The New York Times reports.
"The Russian Olympic Committee has already sent a letter to the [International Skating Union], in which it stated in detail and reasonably the position that the results of the team tournament are not subject to revision under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome of the disciplinary investigation against the athlete," Pozdnyakov said.
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Valieva could continue competing despite a positive drug test before the Olympics, the results from which were returned on Feb. 8. But the International Olympic Committee subsequently said there would be no medal ceremonies for the events Valieva wins a medal in until her doping case is resolved. Russia won gold during the team competion.
On Thursday, Valieva was set to participate in the women's free skate event. An IOC spokesperson said "there will be an asterisk against the results, because they will be preliminary obviously pending the investigation," per The Associated Press.
Pozdnyakov, though, says Russia is prepared to defend its position that the team results can't be revised "consistently in any possible proceedings, including in the [Court of Arbitration for Sport], if required."
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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.
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