Eyebrows were raised when a medal ceremony was delayed for a 'legal consultation'
Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images The Olympics aren’t over until the medals are handed out, and Team Russia is learning that the hard way. After a historic showing that included the first successful quad Salchow by a female skater at the Olympics, the Russian Olympic Committee were poised to receive their gold medals for the team skate event on Tuesday, February 8, but the ceremony was abruptly canceled for “legal consultation.” Now, we know why.
Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian star who landed that quad Salchow on Monday, has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance. The ceremony was delayed so that the International Olympic Committee could investigate. No official details have been released, but Russian press have stated that Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine , which is used to treat chest pain.
Despite this journalist’s assertion that trimetazidine is not a performance enhancing drug, it is reportedly still listed as a “metabolic modulator” by the World Anti-Doping Agency. According to a 2014 paper cited by NBC, the drug is apparently known to “improve physical efficiency, especially in the case of endurance sports,” and is reportedly banned from use both in and out of competition. But, according to cardiologist Dr. Sadiya Khan who is an assistant professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, any potential benefits are “theoretical.” As Khan told Reuters, “There is no strong evidence that it does make a difference.
Curiously enough, Valieva originally raised some eyebrows before the ceremony, when she and four other skaters on the Rusisan Olympic Committee did not appear for a team practice. However, only one positive test has been reported at this time, and the IOC has yet to confirm that the delay has anything to do with a potential doping at all.