'Easier to start with a positive dope test than a positive covid test’ - heartbroken Natalia Maliszewska

Poland’s former short track world silver medallist Natalia Maliszewska appears to have voiced her frustration at the Kamila Valieva doping scandal, criticising the decision to let someone who has tested positive for a banned substance compete at the Winter Olympics when she missed out following a topsy-turvy Covid ordeal. The 26-year-old, a 500m specialist, tested positive for coronavirus before the Games, but was then given a reprieve when she was surprisingly released from isolation in Beijing. Ad/> But Maliszewska tested positive again and missed out on the qualification round for the 500m, before she returned to take part in the 1000m, 1500m and relay.

Beijing 2022Choi beats Fontana, Schulting to retain 1500m titleAN HOUR AGO She appeared to doubt all of the test results and in a post on social media, she revealed the mental effect it had on her. «I have been living in fear for over a week… and these mood swings, the crying that takes my breath away, make it not only the people around me worry about me but myself alone. »I don't understand it either.

I don't believe in anything anymore. In no tests. No games.

It's a big joke for me. My heart can't take it anymore." Maliszewska was able to compete at the Olympics in Beijing, but she has not let the rollercoaster situation go. Speaking to Eurosport Poland, she appeared to take aim at the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to let Valieva compete in figure skating, after it emerged she tested positive for a banned substance in December.