Alanna Gillis

Opinions Editor

amg7393@psu.edu

Kamila Valieva became the first woman to land a quad at the Olympics on Monday, January 7. The Russian teenager, just 15, had performed an incredible maneuver that made history. This year’s Winter Olympics was Valieva’s first exposure to skating at the world-championship level.

“I believe that I am coping with this pressure, and sometimes it even pushes me forward,” Valieva stated. “It helps me.”

Even with the fall she took during the third and final quadruple jump of her routine, she scored a 178.92. This placed her more than 30 points above second place finisher, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto. Her score earned her the first gold medal she’s ever received from the Olympics.

Valieva is not the only teenager on Russia’s skating team. In fact, her other two teammates are both 17 years old. Valieva is expected to have her toughest competition come in the form of these teammates. Russia’s women’s figure skating team has the chance to sweep the podium this year with these three young powerhouses, something that has never been done in this category.

“I had this burden of responsibility,” Valieva said after her team-event debut, “but I came out a winner.”

However, the podium sweep may no longer be an opportunity. Valieva tested positive for a heart medication known as trimetazidine, which is banned under anti-doping rules due to its ability to increase blood flow and therefore the endurance of the athlete using it.

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency suspended her from competition, but revoked the suspension when she appealed, prompting a resolution on the matter from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, also known as CAS. The hearing is set to take place Sunday, February 13 at 8:30 p.m.

Valieva, as a minor at just 15 years of age, is considered a “protected person” under World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, rules. The association is calling for an investigation into the adults of her inner circle, which includes her polarizing coach, Eteri Tutberidze.

The results of her case would have a major impact on three teams if Russia were to be disqualified. The United States would be upgraded to winning gold, followed by Japan with silver and Canada with bronze.