We have to talk about it

 Here we all are. Women's short program done and we're all feeling...weird? Angry? Sad? Some combination of the 3 plus a lot of other feelings about it. So let's break it down.

Before I get into my own feelings (MANY) about how things are going let's discus what has ACTUALLY happened. 

First is that around the time of Russian Nationals in December, Valieva's sample was sent off to Sweden for testing. However according to different sources, this sample was not labeled as a priority and/or there was also a COVID outbreak that swamped the labs. It's possible either or both of those is true and the cause for the delayed results. Nevertheless, after the team event it came to light that Valieva had tested positive for doping in that December sample. Some time later, we found out exactly what drug she tested positive for-trimetazidine. It's a heart medication, and some cockamamie story about her grandfather takes it and they drank from the same water glass (honestly, what is it Metamucil? This piece of the story was not well thought out). The Russian Anti Doping Agency (which is currently on suspension from the World Anti Doping Agency for...you know that whole state sponsored doping program thing they did) then suspends her. She and camp obviously challenge that decision and RUSADA is like...yea ok! Sorry about the suspension-you can definitely compete!

This is where it gets worse. The International Testing Agency (ITA) appeals the decision to let her skate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport-which critically is a legally binding court. And the fact that Valieva is 15 is a wrinkle-because according to CAS' rules she is a "protected person" and therefore is allowed some measure of leniency. However the rules are not crystal clear as to how lenient in every situation. CAS made the decision to allow her to compete. The reasons mentioned were 1.) She is a protected person and 2.)  

"The Panel considered fundamental principles of fairness, proportionality, irreparable harm, and the relative balance of interests as between the Applicants and the Athlete, who did not test positive during the Olympic Games in Beijing and is still subject to a disciplinary procedure on the merits following the positive anti-doping test undertaken in December 2021; in particular, the Panel considered that preventing the Athlete from competing at the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in these circumstances [...]"

You can read the complete CAS statement here. And of course the IOC is not happy about this. On the 20th anniversary of the whole Canadian Pairs figure skating debacle to have another controversy on Olympic ice during THE premier event. It's not a good look-and the publicity is bad. Like BAD. And this is on top of consistent reports about the IOC's corruption. And the ISU doesn't look great either-for all that they give her and Tutberidze's girls giant scores-not all of which are merited. So that's where we are now. And I want to discuss a couple things-some of which I've seen on the social media's etc.

1. The decision to let her compete but no medal ceremony if she is top 3. The IOC didn't make the decision to let her compete, only to cancel the medal ceremony. And CAS well...they're not exactly the good guys. Among their other controversial decisions is preventing Caster Semenya from competing. Now as to the reason they cited above, they specifically justify their ruling by the irreparable harm to the athlete who MIGHT be cheating. And while I don't agree, I believe the thought process here is that if she competes and wins-her gold medal can be later taken away. Specifically, after a full investigation is completed. But if she's not allowed to compete at all, well, that can never be undone. If I squint my eyes and tilt my head that's maybe the best angle from which to view the decision. And I suppose any medal ceremony that includes the Russians would be a farce (and yes, while her teammates have not had any indication of doping, you can bet that if it's good enough for Tutberidze-I mean Valieva-it's good enough for the girls who train with Tutberidze as well). 

CAS does not of course mention irreparable harm done to Valieva's competitors, irreparable harm done to other children on the precedent they are currently setting which says "Doping is ok if you're a minor" or irreparable harm done to figure skating as a premier sport or any number of agencies that claim to be an authority or governing body (yes IOC and ISU I'm still looking at you, you guys have A LOT to work on). 

2. The Calalang and Richardson comparisons. Do not get me wrong on this-I completely believe that Sha'Carri Richardson and Jessica Calalang had egregious and irreparable harm done to them because of their suspensions. HOWEVER. We have to at least acknowledge the differences between all these situations. First, Sha-Carri Richardson did test positive for marijuana which WADA (and USADA by extension) considers a banned substance. Richardson admitted to this-and despite extenuating circumstances surrounding the death of her mother and whether or not marijuana/THC should be banned, she did break the rules and notably it was USADA and the US Olympic Committee that suspended her NOT any international organization (despite Richardson's statements on Twitter about the situation, there is limited similarity between herself and Valieva). Her suspension however would be a lot easier for everyone to take on the chin if it were not for the consistent appearance of double standards and uneven application of those rules.

Calalang also tested positive for a substance (4-CPA) which came, stunningly, from shampoo and makeup. This case also never went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport because Calalang was suspended by USADA. The notable differences here being that USADA abides by the rules set forth by WADA, while clearly RUSADA does not. While I agree that it is incredibly unfair some athletes get to compete and some do not based on, at the outset, quite similar circumstances, I think the fault ultimately has to lie with RUSADA for lifting her suspension, and CAS for upholding that decision. As to the decisions about Richardson and Calalang, I can't comment more except to say at least Calalang should be able to file compensation for grievances given the fact that she did nothing wrong. As to Richardson, the rules should be changed but that won't undo the fact that she couldn't go to Tokyo. 

3. Figure skating is dead. I... I don't know man. In 2002, we were nowhere. Vote swapping, back alley deals. Nonsense. And yet-figure skating continued to be the premier sport at the Winter Olympics for the next 20 years. But remember-2002 was the impetus to change from the 6.0 system to the current system. And while YES it has many MANY flaws, I think we can all agree this is a HUGE improvement over the 6.0 system. When I go back and watch ladies skating at the 2002 Olympics, it's like night and day. Yes the jumps are still there, Hughes did 2 triple-triple combinations and Russian skaters notwithstanding that's still pretty formidable today. But looking at the other components, spins and footwork it's almost silly what they let pass as a step sequence back in 2002. So yes, there are a lot of improvements to be made (maybe one day ice dance judging panels will give out a negative GOE), and as with most things I think that's okay! We need to be okay with a sport that continues making changes and improvements. One positive change that's already proposed for the upcoming ISU Congress is to increase the age minimum to compete at the Olympics (obviously this is a small one, but I'll take it).

4. Tutberidze should be banned from coaching. Send her to the Gulag. I'm actually super okay with this one. Even without a doping scandal, the things we've heard about her coaching-from preventing athletes from drinking water at the Olympics, to the weight limitations, to likely a thousand other heinous things she's done that are just this side of a war crime, she should never coach again.