Kamila Valieva decision: Team USA accuse Russia of ‘systematic and pervasive disregard for clean sport’

Team USA chief executive Sarah Hirshland has hit out at the decision to allow Kamila Valieva to compete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. CAS said in a statement it had been asked to determine the «narrow issue” of whether the provisional suspension should have been imposed, confirming that it had not ruled on the merits of the wider case. Thus its panel „determined that permitting the provisional suspension to remain lifted was appropriate“.

Ad/> As a result, Valieva is free to take part in the women's individual figure skating event on Tuesday, although any medal she potentially wins — and has won — could be overturned. Valieva led ROC to success in the team event, with USA second and Japan third. Beijing 2022Valieva free to compete in Tuesday's singles after CAS clears Russian figure skater2 HOURS AGO However, Team USA chief Hirshland said in a statement that the decision sent out the wrong signal, adding that it appeared as another chapter in the “systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia”.

“We are disappointed by the message this decision sends. It is the collective responsibility of the entire Olympic community to protect the integrity of sport and to hold athletes, coaches and all involved to the highest standards,” began the statement. “Athletes have the right to know they are competing on a level playing field.

Unfortunately, today that right is being denied. This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia. “We know this case is not yet closed and we call on everyone in the Olympic Movement to continue to fight for clean sport on behalf of athletes around the world.” /> The Canadian Olympic Committee also added in a statement: „The