The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced that Russia, in the team figure skating event at the 2022 Winter Olympics, has been demoted to bronze following Kamila Valieva’s doping ban. 

The 15-year-old skating sensation, who recently received a four-year ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), tested positive for trimetazidine in December 2021.

The ISU, in response to Kamila Valieva’s ban, conducted a re-ranking of the team event from the Beijing Games. Consequently, the USA has been elevated to the gold medal, with Japan securing the silver. This decision has left Canada disappointed, as they had initially finished fourth and would have expected to be promoted to bronze in other sports scenarios.

The Figure Skating Federation of Russia expressed its strong disagreement with the CAS decision, saying that they “categorically” oppose the ruling. Valieva herself attributed her positive test to “contamination by cutlery” shared with her grandfather, who had been treated with trimetazidine. The drug, typically used to treat angina, has raised doubts about its relevance to athletes due to its “numerous side effects.”

Kamila Valieva’s ban not only impacts the historical medal standings but also raises questions about the age-related confidentiality rules. 

WADA rules for “protected persons” under 16 should have ensured Valieva’s anonymity. However, this case has prompted the ISU to raise the lower age limit for its senior category from 15 to 17, prioritising the “physical, mental, and emotional health” of competitors.

The US skating team, now elevated to gold, envisions a dream scenario at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Reigning world ice dance champions Evan Bates and Madison Chock expressed their desire for a true Olympic medal ceremony, surrounded by the Olympic spirit.

“We’ve thought about it,” said Chock. “That would be the dream scenario.”