The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Skating Union (ISU) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had all called on CAS to reinstate a suspension Valieva was given by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), over a doping violation concerning a test sample taken in December.
In a statement, CAS said it had decided Valieva, 15, should be allowed to compete due to “exceptional circumstances,” including specific provisions linked to her status as a “protected person” under the WADA code, because she is a minor.
The CAS also noted Valieva did not test positive during the Winter Olympics. In making the decision the panel considered “fundamental principles of fairness, proportionality, irreparable harm,” a statement said.
While Tygart acknowledged the that decision should be respected, he said that it was “a rushed one.”
“Only time will tell if [Valieva] should be competing in these Games and whether or not all of her results will be disqualified,” he said.
However, if it is found that Valieva should not have competed, Tygart said that the verdict will “reveal what a farce the handling of the Russia state-sponsored doping system by the IOC has been over the last eight years.”
“If Russia had followed the rules, we would know for certain the outcome of the Figure Skating Team Event and those athletes who gave it their all could have their podium moment during these Games as they rightfully deserve with the world in celebration with them.”
Medal ceremonies in limbo
“In the interest of fairness to all athletes and the NOCs concerned, it would not be appropriate to hold the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 as it would include an athlete who … has a positive A-sample, but whose violation of the anti-doping rules has not yet been established,” said the IOC.
If Valieva finishes on the podium in the women’s single skating competition this week, the IOC added “no flower ceremony and no medal ceremony will take place during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022” for that event.
“The IOC requests the International Skating Union (ISU), for reasons of fairness, to allow a 25th competitor to participate in the free skating part of the competition on 17 February, in case Ms Valieva is ranked in the first 24 of the short programme on 15 February,” added the IOC statement.
‘Compassion’
In Tygart’s statement obtained by CNN, the US anti-doping chief also called for compassion for Valieva, stating that she was “let down” by the Russians and the global anti-doping system.
“We all should have compassion for her and withhold judgement on her but instead demand that the global system reform to ensure these types of failures do not occur,” he said.
News of the decision was met with criticism from the wider Olympic community, with retired figure skating champion Tara Lipinski calling it a “scar.”
“I strongly disagree with this decision. At the end of the day, there was a positive test and there is no question in my mind that she should not be allowed to compete,” Lipinski wrote in a series of tweets.
“Regardless of age or timing of the test/results. I believe this will leave a permanent scar on our sport.
“One more thought. I’ve said this before, she’s just 15. Please keep that in mind. This is a lot for a young person to deal with. I hope that whichever adults faulted her are held ACCOUNTABLE. This is heartbreaking.”
‘Not flagged by RUSADA’
WADA said it was “disappointed” by the CAS decision, though its statement raised some troubling questions over the oversight of Valieva’s case as the world anti-doping body appeared to shift the blame to RUSADA for how the controversy has played out.
“While WADA has not received the reasoned award, it appears that the CAS panel decided not to apply the terms of the Code, which does not allow for specific exceptions to be made in relation to mandatory provisional suspensions for ‘protected persons’, including minors,” said WADA on Monday.
The teenage skater’s drug sample was taken from Valieva at the 2022 Russian Figure Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia on December 25.
However, according to the world anti-dopiing body, it was only on February 7 that a WADA-accredited laboratory in Stockholm provided confirmation of an adverse analytical finding in Valieva’s sample — the day she helped the ROC team win gold in the figure skating team event at Beijing 2022.
“WADA always expects Anti-Doping Organizations to liaise with the laboratories in order to ensure they expedite the analysis of samples so that the results are received prior to athletes traveling to or competing in a major event, such as the Olympic or Paralympic Games,” added the WADA statement.
“According to information received by WADA, the sample in this case was not flagged by RUSADA as being a priority sample when it was received by the anti-doping laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden. This meant the laboratory did not know to fast-track the analysis of this sample.”
‘A celebration of common sense’
The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said it would “consistently defend the rights and interests of Russian athletes” but added that it was “extremely important to conduct a full-fledged objective investigation to establish all the circumstances of the situation.”
“The ROC is interested in an objective, fair decision on this case following the results of the legal procedure,” it said in a statement on Monday.
Meanwhile, Alexander Gorshkov, president of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia, called the decision “a celebration of common sense and justice,” according to state media RIA Novosti.
Russian figure skater Nikita Katsalapov also backed his compatriot while competing for Team ROC in Beijing, saying “let’s go Kamila!” when asked about the CAS decision.
Valieva is not the only person implicated in allegations of doping. As she’s a minor, WADA told CNN the agency will investigate her entourage, as it’s required to do.
Valieva’s next appearance at Beijing 2022 is now expected on Tuesday, when she’ll be favourite in the short program of the women’s singles competition.
If Valieva finishes on the podium, the IOC said that no medal ceremony will take place until her case is fully concluded.
CNN’s Selina Wang, Hannah Ritchie, Wayne Sterling, Aleks Klosok, Duarte Mendonca and Uliana Pavlova contributed reporting.
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