Russian doping case at Beijing Winter Olympics? IOC remains tight-lipped, deflects questions

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday refused to confirm whether a teenage Russian figure skater had tested positive for a banned substance at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.

The concerns of doping have emerged after a Russian newspaper, RCB reported 15-year-old figure skater from Russia, Kamila Valieva, tested positive for banned heart medication before the Beijing Games.

Valieva was expected to deliver Russia its third straight Olympic gold medal in women’s figure skating.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams deflected questions about the report.

“We had a situation arrive yesterday at short notice, that has legal implications,and I’m not, and I hope you would appreciate, I’m not from the podium of a press conference going to comment on a legal case because it wouldn’t be appropriate. On the wider issue, you said of potential doping case, and I think that’s complete speculation, but in a general point, what I would remind you is that very much that the IOC delegated both testing management and sanctioning in doping cases to ITA (International Testing Agency) and CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

“And so I won’t be having anything more to say on that. You can ask me many, many questions, but it’s an active legal case and I would refer you to other partners,” Adams said, as quoted by AP news agency.

A positive test could cost Russia the gold medal from the team competition and threaten Valieva’s chance to win the individual competition that starts Tuesday where she is the heavy favourite.

The medal ceremony from the team competition has also been delayed due to the case and the IOC refused to comment on whether it will take place at the games.