Days After Doping Ban, Kamila Valieva Breaks Silence

Published 02/02/2024, 12:43 PM EST

Kamila Valieva has been at the epicenter of controversy since the young age of 15. The talented ice skater was accused of using a drug called trimetazidine (TMZ) to enhance her performance during the 2022 Winter Olympics, leading to a whirlwind of drama and a protracted legal battle. However, in a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the now-17-year-old has been banned from the sport for four years.

Furthermore, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has been stripped of its gold medal in the team event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, leading to a downgrade to bronze. This move stirred up the sports community. And now, days after this ruling, the 17-year-old Russian figure skating icon, Kamila Valieva, has broken her silence.

Kamila Valieva finally speaks up after the ruling

Article continues below this ad

In the wake of the developments, Kamila Valieva has broken her silence on Instagram stories. The 17-year-old star shared an image of a billboard that had her picture on the huge hoarding and the words “КАМИЛА, ТЫ НАША ЗОЛОТАЯ!!!” printed on it, which translates to “KAMILA, YOU ARE OUR GOLD!!!” She wrote alongside the story, “Спасибо всем, кто рядом; всем, кто поддерживает,” which translates to, “Thanks to everyone who is nearby; to everyone who supports.”

Article continues below this ad

After Kamila Valieva was banned from the sport of figure skating for four years, beginning on December 25, 2021, the World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka stated, “Anyone who dopes children should be in prison.” However, while many lauded the move, in Russia, some people are upset and believe the decision is unfair. Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, even said, “Of course, we don’t agree with this,” and shared that he felt the decision was influenced by politics.

Kamila Valieva’s Teammate Cuts Ties With ‘Cruel’ Russian Coach Two Years After Praising Her At Beijing Olympics

Article continues below this ad

While the debate about her innocence continues to intrigue the sports world, fans of the star remain steadfast in their support. The hoarding in her Instagram stories was a testament to this support. As Kamila Valieva’s suspension extends until December 2025, fans of the figure skating sensation stand in solidarity, hopeful for her eventual return to the sport.

Watch this story: Most Decorated Olympic Athlete Who Broke Usain Bolt’s Record Goes Down Memory Lane of Her Glorious Career

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Hello there! I'm Christaline Meyers, a Olympics Sports Writer for Essentially Sports. As an ardent lover of the sporting world, I've found my home in the dazzling world of Gymnastics, where elegance meets athleticism in gravity-defying routines. But my passion doesn't stop there; I'm a sports enthusiast with a taste for the wild waves of surfing, the adrenaline rush of Alpine Skiing, and the street-smart moves of skateboarding.

Edited by:

Sampurna Pal

Days After Doping Ban, Kamila Valieva Breaks Silence

Kamila Valieva finally speaks up after the ruling

Trending

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

“Very Disturbing”: Ex Wife Pilar Sanders Reprimands Coach Prime for “Stupid” Take on Shelomi’s Transfer Portal Decision

Exclusive: After Kyle Busch & Denny Hamlin’s Criticism of $5 Million NASCAR Decision, Crew Chief Admits to Feeling “Lost” at Talladega

Exclusive: Michael McDowell Reportedly the “Snitch” Who Got NASCAR Team Kicked Out at Talladega

“It Will Ruin the Game”: Citing Caitlin Clark’s Example, Geno Auriemma Warns WNBA