Kamila Valieva’s doping scandal takes shock FBI twist after controversial Winter Olympics decision

Legal troubles for the coach and others in Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva’s orbit could emerge in the United States even after her doping case from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics has been resolved.

Anti-doping experts say the episode falls under the scope of a recently enacted U.S. law that criminalises doping schemes in events involving American athletes.

The law calls for fines of up to $US1 million ($A1.4 million) and prison sentences of up to 10 years for those who participate in doping programs that influence international sports.

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“Doctors and coaches who give performance-enhancing drugs to athletes are directly liable” under the new law, said one of its authors, attorney Jim Walden.

“They are at risk of jail, steep fines, and forfeiture. And I suspect the FBI is already hot on this trail.”

On Monday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared Valieva to compete in the women’s competition beginning on Monday night from 9pm AEDT.

Still unresolved is what to do about the gold medal the Russians won - with Valieva as the headliner - in last week’s mixed team competition.

Because Valieva is 15, and considered a ‘protected person’ under global anti-doping rules, the sanctions against her could be light.

That does not exempt her entourage from possible anti-doping penalties beyond the possible stripping of the medal from the Russian team.

Walden and others expect those same people to come under investigation by US law enforcement, as well.

“The latest Russian doping scandal in Beijing is exactly why we passed the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. Doping is corruption,” said Sen Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, who is involved in anti-doping