ROC President claims figure skating team event results are non-revisable

Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov sent a letter to the International Skating Union (ISU) detailing his position on the figure skating team event results controversy.

Pozdnyakov stated, “yesterday, as part of a regular press conference of the IOC, the official representative of the organization, referring to the position of the International Skating Union (ISU), stated that the results of the team tournament and women’s singles (if our athlete wins a prize) will be considered ‘preliminary,’ and in relation to them a certain sign in the form of an asterisk will be affixed.”

He continued, “We strongly disagree with this.”

“Regarding the result of the team tournament, the Russian Olympic Committee has already sent a letter to the ISU, in which it stated in detail and reasonably the position that the results of the team tournament are not subject to revision under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome of the disciplinary investigation against the athlete.”

The athlete referenced is Kamila Valieva. It was revealed after the team event that the 15 year old sensation from Russia had returned a positive drug test during the Russian national championships held prior to the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Since the revelation, controversy has swallowed the figure skating competition at Beijing 2022. A ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the dismissal of a provisional suspension placed on Valieva. In response, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that no medal ceremonies would be held for events that included Valieva on the podium during the Games.

The controversy came to head during a dramatic and chaotic women’s single final on Thursday. Valieva seemed to crumble under the weight of it all, with a disastrous performance seeing her place outside the podium. The result meant that a flower and medal ceremony would be held for those who placed in the top 3.

However, the matter of medals in the figure skating team event has yet to be decided, and likely won’t be decided, until legal proceedings stemming from Valkeva’s cases run their course.

Pozdnyakov highlighted the position that will be taken by the Russian Olympic Committee should any revisions be made to the results as a side effect of Valieva’s case.

He stated, “the Anti-Doping Rules are worded in such a way that a review of results in a team event would only take place if the alleged anti-doping violation had been committed during the Olympic Games.”

He concluded, “we will defend this position consistently in any possible proceedings, including in the CAS, if required.”