By Karolos Grohmann
BEIJING (Reuters) – The B-sample of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva is yet to be analysed at the Beijing Olympics despite an initial positive drug test, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.
The teenager was cleared to compete in Tueday evening’s single event after a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that agreed with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s (RUSADA) decision to lift a ban on her.
Valieva was tested at her national championships on Dec. 25, but the positive test for a banned angina drug was not revealed until Feb. 8, allowing her to compete at the Beijing Games.
If Valieva finishes in the top three of the women’s single event, the medal ceremony will not be held at the Olympics, prompting outrage from athletes and officials around the world.
The 15-year-old skater spoke to Russia’s Channel One after practice on Monday.
“These (past few) days have been very difficult for me,” Valieva said.
“It’s as if I don’t have any emotions left. I am happy but at the same time I am emotionally tired.”
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann and Julien Pretot; Editing by Leela de Kretser)
