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?
(Cliff Hawkins via Getty Images)
Los Angeles — 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.
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.