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Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, trains on the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Picture/Bernat Armangue)
By DAVE SKRETTA, Related Press
BEIJING (AP) — Determine skater Kamila Valieva will testify by video at an attraction listening to Sunday that can resolve if the 15-year-old Russian star can nonetheless compete on the Beijing OIympics regardless of an ongoing doping case.
Simply half-hour forward of the listening to’s scheduled 8:30 p.m. begin in Beijing, Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport director common Matthieu Reeb mentioned Valieva was scheduled to talk by video to the panel in a case that has triggered havoc with a marquee sport on the Olympics.
“The athlete might be on-line and she's going to testify,” Reeb mentioned. “We suppose she's going to converse in Russian, and we've an interpreter.”
Three CAS judges are listening to arguments in a closed-door session in a convention room at a Beijing resort. Legal professionals and officers for the events are connecting to the case within the Winter Video games host metropolis and from Switzerland. Reeb mentioned witnesses and specialists would even be concerned.
The Worldwide Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Company and Worldwide Skating Union have challenged a call by the Russian anti-doping company to carry an interim ban and take a look at so Valieva can compete in her foremost occasion.
Valieva’s optimistic check for a banned coronary heart remedy was flagged final Monday — after she helped the Russians win the crew occasion — by a laboratory in Sweden six weeks after the pattern was taken in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Reeb mentioned the decision is count on to be introduced in Beijing on Monday afternoon.
That's simply over 24 hours forward of Valieva’s scheduled subsequent Olympic occasion — the ladies’s particular person competitors. She would be the sturdy favourite if cleared to skate, and her foremost challengers might be two Russian teammates.
Earlier Sunday, the teenager on the heart of Russia’s newest doping scandal appeared to be the one particular person with no phrase to say about it.
Valieva continued to apply amid a sea of media and digital camera crews because the courtroom ready the expedited listening to anticipated to go deep into the night time.
Valieva has but to overlook a scheduled apply since phrase of her optimistic drug check emerged. On Monday, the reigning European champion helped the Russian skaters win crew gold with a dynamic free skate by which she grew to become the primary lady to land a quad soar in Olympic competitors.
On a number of events, the stress appeared to have rattled Valieva, together with throughout Saturday’s apply when she fell and tearfully hugged her embattled coach, Eteri Tutberidze.
“Kamila is a powerful lady,” provided Russian ice dancer Nikita Katsalapov, who alongside together with her companion, Victoria Sinitsina, have tried to supply Valieva some much-needed assist.
On Sunday, Valieva drew the twenty sixth beginning spot among the many 30 opponents.
“Victoria had a couple of minutes to share some phrases together with her,” Katsalapov mentioned. “(Victoria) requested her to, like, settle down just a bit bit, even when it’s a tough state of affairs round her proper now.”
Valieva has but to talk to the media for the reason that information convention following the Russians’ crew gold, when the seemingly unbeatable star seemed each bit the precocious teenager. Between questions, she was snapping images and texting, whereas squeezing the plush mascot given to every medalist.
“All of us did such a superb job,” she gushed. “I’m very pleased with my crew.”
Now, all their gold medals hold within the steadiness, unlikely to be determined till lengthy after the Olympics finish.
Most critics taking to social media have largely supported Valieva, leveling their ire as an alternative at Russian coaches and directors liable for her well-being. That features Tutberidze, who additionally coaches teammates Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova, and who has earned a fame for utilizing up and discarding her younger athletes.
“Let’s be sort to the 15-year-old who produced a optimistic drug check as a result of she lives in an institutionalized system the place she was more than likely guided and trusted the adults round her,” tweeted Mirai Nagasu, a member of the U.S. determine skating crew 4 years in the past on the Pyeongchang Video games.
Ashley Wagner, one other American determine skater who competed on the 2014 Sochi Video games, was appalled that Russia is on the heart of one other doping scandal but appears to repeatedly get a cross from the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
Wagner additionally took intention at a skating tradition that always champions youngsters with little regard for his or her long-term well being.
“Sure, a 15-year-old might be mature, and have a life that's already stuffed with unbelievable experiences, however nonetheless, she is a child,” Wagner mentioned. “She’s not the primary child put on this place and he or she received’t be the final until we begin taking this severely.”
On the heart of the firestorm is Valieva, a excessive schooler with fuzzy pink skate guards and a beloved Pomeranian pet again residence. She did an ideal run-through of her record-setting quick program throughout Sunday’s early apply on the foremost rink, then returned for a second session on the close by apply rink a number of hours later.
At one level, as dozens of cameras clicked for footage, Valieva reached down and touched the ice.
The wait is on to see whether or not she will be able to once more on the Olympics.
“It’s all the time unhealthy when one thing like that occurs, so we’re very sorry for any athlete,” Russian ice dancer Gleb Smolkin mentioned. “I feel like everybody else, we're simply ready for the outcomes of this story. We want Kamila all the very best. She’s an important athlete, she’s an important skater. She has a vivid future.”
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Related Press author Sally Ho and AP Sports activities Author Graham Dunbar contributed to this report.