By John Q. Hosedrinker Figure skater Valieva disqualified in Olympic doping case. Russians set to lose team gold to US.
Watching the individual skate of figure skater Kamila Valieva at the Olympics after the doping allegations came out was truly surreal. The intensity of the hatred directed towards her from every side was palpable. It was painful to witness an athlete who had been cleared by a Russian sports tribunal and a separate CAS panel, only to flounder and fail almost every trick, all while fighting back tears. And to make matters worse, her own Russian coach yelled at her and displayed hostility in front of the cameras. It was difficult to comprehend how a 15-year-old was subjected to such treatment.
The fact that Russia attempted to argue that Valieva’s doping was a result of contamination from her grandfather’s medication is baffling. Even more absurd was their subsequent claim that her being a minor should exempt her from responsibility. It’s a weak argument that, if accepted by the IOC, would incentivize every country to produce young athletes who are doped-up. And let’s not forget that we’re not just talking about regular adult athlete doping here, but the doping of a 15-year-old. It’s astonishing that any Russian athletes are still allowed to compete, considering their history of both invading Ukraine and engaging in wholesale state-sponsored doping. It’s clear that the IOC has some serious corruption issues.
The decision to allow Russia to compete under a different name as a punishment was utterly pointless. They should have faced a complete ban from the Olympics. While the current athletes will receive their rightfully earned medals, it’s undeniable that a precious moment was taken away from them. I feel for Valieva, who was undoubtedly a pawn in this mess. It’s unfair that her name now carries the shame of the Russian doping scandal. She dedicated herself to the sport and sacrificed her childhood, and I genuinely hope she finds happiness beyond figure skating, both mentally and personally.
Russia’s history with doping is well-known, and it’s about time that they face severe consequences. The fact that they continue to be allowed to compete is mind-boggling. It’s clear that they have little regard for rules and fair play. Their blatant disregard for the integrity of the Olympics is disgraceful. The question remains: why are the Russians even competing? It’s high time that they face a permanent ban from all international competitions.
While the disqualification of Valieva has resulted in the United States gaining an additional gold medal in the team figure skating event, it doesn’t take away the feeling of defeat for the silver medalist on that day. The mechanical transfer of medals is an intriguing topic, as we ponder whether new medals are made or if the original gold medal is returned. Nevertheless, the adjustment in medal counts doesn’t erase the disappointment felt by the athletes who were rightfully robbed of their moment.
This doping scandal once again highlights Russia’s long-standing issue with doping. It’s a tale as old as time. It’s clear that they shouldn’t even be competing. The world needs to turn its back on the Olympics until Russia faces significant consequences and no longer has the privilege of competing for their country. The continuous presence of Russian athletes in the Olympics is a slap in the face to the integrity of the games.
In conclusion, the disqualification of figure skater Kamila Valieva due to doping is an unfortunate reminder of Russia’s ongoing struggle with doping. It’s a shame that athletes like her bear the brunt of the consequences, while those responsible for the doping scheme continue to evade punishment. It’s time for Russia to face a permanent ban from international competition, and for the IOC to take a stronger stance against doping. Only then can the Olympics regain their integrity and truly celebrate the extraordinary achievements of clean, dedicated athletes.