Four appeals have been filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in relation to the doping case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, further delaying the awarding of medals from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The appeals, three from Russia and one from Canada, challenge the International Skating Union's decision to amend the result of the team event following Valieva's disqualification.
The Russian appeals seek to reinstate their team as gold medalists, while the Canadian appeal aims to secure bronze medals ahead of the Russians. The ISU had initially disqualified Valieva, leading to the reordering of team points totals and the upgrading of the United States and Japan in the standings.
The ongoing controversy stems from the ISU's interpretation of competition rules, particularly regarding the adjustment of points following Valieva's removal. The Canadians argue that they should be placed one point ahead of the Russians in third place.
This latest round of appeals marks the third time CAS will be involved in the case, with a new panel of judges set to review the matter. Valieva's positive test for a banned substance during the 2022 Olympics had already led to a lengthy legal process, resulting in her eventual ban from competition until December 2025.
As of now, no medals have been officially awarded for the Beijing team event, and any reallocation of medals will need to be approved by the International Olympic Committee. The upcoming IOC executive board meeting in March may be further delayed by the ongoing legal challenges.
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