Winter Olympics: Sha’Carri Richardson, Others Call Out Doping Double Standard

Many question why Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who tested positive for doping, is able to compete. Is it race-based?

02.15.22
Winter Olympics: Sha’Carri Richardson, Others Call Out Doping Double Standard (Cliff Hawkins via Getty Images)

Track star Sha’Carri Richardson took to social media to question why Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who tested positive for doping, was allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Valieva is expected to compete Tuesday in the women’s singles short program.

Last summer, Richardson was not allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics after the 21 year old tested positive for THC. After learning her birth mother died, Richardson smoked marijuana as a coping mechanism. She was suspended for one month. 

Valieva,15, tested positive in December for the banned drug trimetazidine (TMZ), which has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibition list since 2014. Valieva was initially suspended but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) changed that decision and now she is allowed to compete in the singles competition and is favored to win gold.

BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 15: Kamila Valieva of Team ROC skates during the Women Single Skating Short Program on day eleven of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Matthew Stockman via Getty Images)

TMZ is used to treat chest pain, but for athletes, it can increase stamina

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Valieva is ineligible for a medal until after the investigation is over.

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