Russian skater at center of doping controversy blames mix-up with grandfather’s heart medication: IOC

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who is at the center of a doping controversy, reportedly argued that there was a mix-up with her grandfather’s medication after she tested positive for banned drug trimetazidine.

Veteran International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Denis Oswald on Tuesday said that Valieva’s lawyers claimed that the test was the result of an accident, according to The Associated Press.

“Her argument was this contamination which happened with a product her grandfather was taking,” Oswald told reporters.

Valieva, 15, was cleared to skate in Tuesday’s women’s program at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics following a hearing.

“These days have been very difficult for me. I’m happy but I’m tired emotionally,” she reportedly told Russian state broadcaster Channel One on Monday.

The IOC last week announced a delay for the medal ceremony for the team figure skating event after Valieva’s positive drug test. At the time, she had completed the first quadruple jumps by a woman in Olympic competition during the Beijing Games.

On Monday, the IOC updated its stance, announcing that a medal ceremony would not be held if Valieva finishes in the top three due to concerns that she could still be banned, the AP reported.