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Russian skater Valieva reportedly tested positive for banned heart medicine

Canada could earn a bronze medal if Kamila Valieva's positive test results in Russia's disqualification from the women’s team figure skating event. (Getty)
Canada could earn a bronze medal if Kamila Valieva's positive test results in Russia's disqualification from the women’s team figure skating event. (Getty)

Kamila Valieva, a 15-year-old figure skater from the Russian Olympic Committee, tested positive for a banned heart medication prior to arriving at the Beijing Olympics, a development that could rescind her and her team’s gold medal in the women’s team figure skating event.

Russian newspaper RBC was the first outlet to report the story. The Associated Press reported that Valieva took Trimetazidine — a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency — which is usually prescribed to treat chest pain.

If ROC are disqualified from the event, then Canada could win a bronze medal, moving up from fourth place.

WADA’s anti-doping code mandates that athletes that commit doping violations must be publicly disclosed, but this doesn’t apply if the athlete is under 18, so in Valieva’s case, the public disclosure surrounding her infraction is optional.

"You can bet your bottom dollar we are doing everything [so] that this situation can be resolved as soon as possible. I cannot give you any more details, but we will do our utmost," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said.

Valieva quickly became one of the breakout stars of the Beijing Olympics, becoming the first woman in Olympic history to land a quadruple jump on Feb. 6.

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