Olympic skater's entourage could face trouble under US law

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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 Games has been resolved.

Anti-doping experts say the episode falls under the scope of a recently enacted U.S. law that criminalizes doping schemes in events involving American athletes. The law calls for fines of up to $1 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 this week.

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.

Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, talks to coaches at a training session at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Beijing.  (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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 U.S. law-enforcement, as well.

"The latest Russian doping scandal in Beijing