In a normal Olympic competition, medals would be awarded today for the women's short skating program, but the medals will be held in abeyance until Russian skater Kamila Valieva's doping case is resolved. Reactions from participants and observers:
“It’s all just so unfair,” said Adam Rippon, a former Olympic skater who is coaching the U.S. figure skater Mariah Bell at the Games. “And now it’s also so unfair to all of these ladies because their whole Olympic experience is now wrapped up in the controversy because a country doesn’t want to play by the damn rules.”
“We are disappointed by the messages this sends,” [Sarah Hirshland, U.S. Olympic Committee executive] said of the ruling to allow Valieva to compete, adding, “This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia.”
"This is going on too long, and it's too obvious. Maybe, it's time for a time out for Russia in the Olympics," said [Dick] Pound, who is a senior IOC member and former Canadian athlete.
“She tested positive for a banned drug. What’s not clear about it? She should be out. That is as simple as that. What kind of message are they sending to millions of young boys and girls in sports — particularly figure skaters? That cheaters are allowed to compete in the Olympics, the holiest competition on the planet. It totally destroys the Olympic spirit.” — Arthur Liu, father of Alysa Liu, a U.S. figure skater and Valieva competitor.
“It’s either an intentional delay to allow her to compete or gross incompetence and has resulted in mayhem and Russia again tainting a major competition,” [Travis] Tygart [U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO, referring to the delay in getting Valieva's December test results until after the Olympics began] (our emphasis)
Russia can't seem to wean itself off of performance-enhancing drugs for its athletes, having been caught at the Sochi Olympics for doping and having their track and field athletes banned from international competition in 2014 (which still stands). A timeline of their cheating reveals that Russia has tried all kinds of subterfuges and illegal activities to disguise the doping of their athletes. The decision to allow Valieva to compete encourages their cheating for future events.
(cartoon: Bas van der Schot)
