Olympics-Sport & Rights Alliance urges IOC to act on human rights abuses

(Reuters) - The Sport & Rights Alliance on Friday requested a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to discuss what it said were human rights abuses at the Beijing Winter Games, including the doping case involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.

Valieva, 15, was cleared to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport despite testing positive for a banned substance in December, but the youngster's Olympic dreams ended in tears when she finished fourth in the women's single event.

"This case highlights yet again the ambitious systems of power that puts athletes, especially child athletes, in impossible positions – where medals are often prioritised at the expense of the athletes' physical and mental health," acting director Andrea Florence said in a letter.

The Sport & Rights Alliance is a global coalition of non-governmental organisations that promotes human rights in sport.

Video: IOC defends decision not to award medals if Kamila Valieva finishes in women's singles top three (Evening Standard)

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