Former Gold Medal Winning Figure Skater On Olympic Drug Scandal

NBC News Correspondent Gadi Schwartz and NBC Sports Figure Skating Analyst Scott Hamilton joined Chris Jansing to discuss the controversy around Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva who was cleared to compete even after testing positive for a banned drug in December, and is now leading the women’s figure skating competition. “If you have a positive drug test, you don’t compete,” Hamilton says. “It is massively unfair to the rest of the event who comes in clean, who comes in honest.”
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Former Gold Medal Winning Figure Skater On Olympic Drug Scandal

[@jordannea]

If she is old enough to compete in the big league, then she needs to be held to the same standards as the 16 + year olds also in the big league. Doesn't matter if she knew she was taking an illegal substance or not. Same standard for everyone no matter their age. Simple as that.

[@emerald637]

If you are at the Olympics representing your country, how, with good conscience, can one continue representing that country when you learn that it is a notoriously known, state-run doping machine? As an athlete from the age of 12-years-old, if not younger, you are taught about the great harm to your bodies the ILLEGALLY banned, drug-enhancing substances can have on you, as well as the risk you would be taking, concerning the future of your sport's career. During that educational process, these young minors also learn RIGHT from WRONG, and that breaking the International rules should be avoided at all costs. If Kamila Valiyeva learned this as a junior figure skater, and she now competes on an adult level against other adults, then how can they continue to use her age as their go-to justification, their excuse for this outrageous violation? After all, it's her body, and her choice, as to what she ingests.

[@starlabaucum5658]

She knew and could've said NO!!! She knew the rules on doping!!! Not buying into the mess that is Russian doping!!

[@Dot0011]

But those arent the rules. Maybe they can change the rules.

[@mikegarcia7986]

@@emerald637 BINGO!! Russia will DO ANYTHING to win at all cost

[@BlessedIhumble]

Absolutely agreed with your comment.

[@fredintoronto]

Every athlete registered in an adult competition must be held to the same standards and regulations regardless of their age.

[@micke_mango]

That's ridiculous. Children aren't accountable for actions that their sport leaders (in absence of their parents) pressure them to do. The adults around her should be held legally accountable, because it's child abuse when they don't act in the child's best interest, for example by giving them drugs without sickness/symptoms. There are too many sports today in which children are abused, as they are trained professionally to compete as adults, before their bodies are ready and their minds are mature enough to make decisions of their own. Children should not be allowed to compete as adults and prize money should not be allowed for children's sports

[@sherrizanoli1398]

They need to change the rules and not let anyone under 16 compete at the Olympics.

[@LamLawIndy]

You may very well be correct, and perhaps the rules should be amended for future competitions. That being said, the established rules require that she be treated as a "protected person" if under the age of 16.

[@LogicAndCompassion]

@@LamLawIndy What does that even mean? Protected Person? Sounds strikingly similar to bleeding heart, liberal socialist policy: "Help someone to their own detriment". Here's the kicker. By trying to save one person from "Irreparable harm", they have likely put dozens, if not hundreds of young athletes at risk. Now every shady country will be doping up their kids, because they know that they can get away with it.

[@robertcaldwell2994]

This is not because she is a minor. It is because the B has not been tested yet in the country where her sample is being tested (Russia can't test their own because they cannot be trusted). She may not be the last Russian to have delayed drug testing which will strip a medal later when/if the B sample is analyzed. Same process for everyone, adult or minor. Bad US reporting gets people upset before the final result is known.

[@michellebranch7972]

Double standards. Horrific that they are letting her continue on. If she is an Olympian she should be held to the same standards as an other Olympian regardless of age. This is cheating at the highest level, cheating by the Olympic committee

[@mikebrigs1218]

LIKE LETTING MEN COMPETE AS WOMEN?

[@realamerican5969]

@@mikebrigs1218 Go watch a nice episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, honey. It'll do you some good.

[@mikebrigs1218]

@@realamerican5969 NO THANKS LOSER. THATS MORE YOUR SPEED.

[@Shullf2011]

It's because the International Olympic Committee is corrupt. Years ago they were accepting bribes and money from Salt Lake City. Now they are placating the Russians even though there's an ongoing doping program in that country.

[@danburnes722]

Follow the money

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Any moral skater under the same circumstances would have withdrawn from the competition because it goes against the moral & ethical standards of any high caliber Olympian. She may be a brilliant skater, but unfortunately this will tarnish her reputation forever. This also degrades the integrity of the Olympics in general and more specifically figure skating. Shameful!

[@moniqueengleman873]

I doubt she has any say in what is happening.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

@@moniqueengleman873 Unfortunately, you're probably right. These abusive coachiing practices are mainly seen in authoritarian countries like Russia. Sad.

[@maggiebarron5534]

I agree with Scott, all the other skaters are being penalized because of Russian doping again. How do they think this affects all the other skaters.

[@Kingfisher1215]

Agreed, however what if she were a man?

[@jeffkim6729]

Quads, Triple Axels, Double Standards

[@vanhughes]

And loopholes, apparently!

[@dianna3157]

Good one! 🤣

[@valmacclinchy]

Scott is right. The ROC isn't even ashamed of doping, they are flaunting it. Don't let Russians compete. Let every other country with Clean athletes get the Olympic experience they've earned!!

[@tameramares5785]

Very shameless. Hey, I guess it's ok to come up with a story of "Oh, I drank my gramps water from his glass," Which no one believes. Especially with this covid virus going around. Yeah, right.

[@creativelife108]

Double standards? Do you know how many "banned" substances are allowed as "exemptions" to US, Canadian athletes? You would be surprised if you knew.

[@karenmom2001]

You are living in your fantasy, wake up

[@Woody-2837]

Right on, Val!

[@Woody-2837]

@@karenmom2001 You make me let out a huge groan…..uhhhhhhhh

[@bianca-sg8zq]

Love to watch Kamila skate...she's technically and artistically beautiful. However...not fair to the rest of the athletes.😩

[@ludakapkina9308]

First of all it is not fair to Kamila, because she did not know about all this game, or she was under presser to do what she did.

[@SK-vj5nb]

It’s coming out of the Russian team about the grandfather’s medication what a mockery. They should be banned number one for taking the drug and number two for lying. As a Canadian watching I feel the American should’ve been able to compete because her drug actually decreases performance. And this girls increases her performance and if she’s allowed to skate everything else goes out the door.What is the point of having rules

[@ludakapkina9308]

I think the grand parents took the responsibility to protect Kamila, because it was scary to pointed on somebody else.

[@yankee04]

Agreed. It blesses Russia’s continued cheating.

[@nmkc_auriemma]

I say Bullchit. Her age don't matter. She's a professional athlete. Laws & rules apply equally or not at all. Scott's right... Ludicrous

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

This is why injured, doping, little girls who are not women have no business in women’s figure skating. I believe many Russians are using her age as a get out of jail card. I stand with Adam. Send her home. The victims are those who are clean.

[@annahbanannah6321]

10000% using her age. They knew it was a loophole and jumped through it

[@kristi4113]

Scott doesn’t mince his words. EVER. I’m glad he doesn’t, too. But I’m curious what Yamaguchi, Hughes, Kerrigan, Cohen and Kwan think. I’d assume they are FUMING.

[@TheCandiceWang]

I'd imagine Kwan is fuming.

[@terryr7622]

I think a lot of skaters from across the globe are upset

[@mariannesouza8326]

@@mokumizu4318 I think YOU'RE a dope!

[@MrOu83]

Yamaguchi & Hughes have shared their thoughts on this drama. Google it.

[@wilfriedholscher7029]

This is ridiculous. Doping is Doping. The entire Russian Team should be banned. I am sick of this garbage.

[@smurfiennes]

Why did they even bother to test her in the first place, if the positive result wouldn’t effect her at all? 🤔 She’s 15 alright, not 5. She’s eligible to compete in Olympics, thus she should follow THEIR regulations! Her latest confession of maybe she was accidentally using grandpa’s drug, is like that cute excuse the dog eats my homework 😆

[@kimcoates7569]

Her coaches never thought she'd be caught.

[@ludakapkina9308]

everything happened like this, because the test did not come in time. It was somewhere more than a month.

[@user-po1mj3fi5d]

Stay blind, it helps

[@user-po1mj3fi5d]

@@ludakapkina9308 40 days or so, something fishy with the lab there. Also something fishiy with the media, tara gets to keep the youngest to win gold status in this too.

[@stephw1702]

A gymnast in 2000 had her medal taken from her when it was found a team doctor gave her cold medication with a banned substance in it. She was the same age as this skater at the time. Even her appeal after the substance was removed from the ban list years later was denied.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

Rules have always been different for Russia. Then the IOC wonders why they continue to dope.

[@kristannestone1748]

So she is admitting. There was enough in her system to test positive. What other athlete would test positive under ANY circumstances and be allowed to compete? This is messing up ALL the skaters' Olympics.

[@rdh8052]

she difinitely took a lot of grandpa's medication🤔

[@lisettetorres2689]

I read an article that there was no way that a cross contamination could occur unless her grandpa spat in her mouth

[@cosplayshop]

@@lisettetorres2689 Yes, he have to have transfer the drug at the same form to her without cross contamination. Drug dissolve in water and most liquid, if she took his cup and got the drug that way, she is not getting that drug, she is getting a by-product of that drug, then her digestive system would have metabolise that by-production into something else, which would not be pick up by the test. Well, not in that original form anyway. The only way her story would make sense is that the transfer happened intravenously, ie her grandpa inject himself with the drug and she then poke herself with the same needle, because the drug inside that needle would not change form, which would pick up on the test.

[@ernarc23]

I have 3 family members who've had heart trouble, at different times, and I have NEVER 'accidentally' taken their meds.

[@soulcornflake1]

I take meds for blood pressure and my doc warned me to keep the meds away from kids, because healthy people who take heart meds can end up in the hospital.

[@heynowls3058]

Right! Silly. And pathetically unbelievable.

[@stefs3460]

It's not about assigning blame it's about following rules. For example, not being able to take cold medicine around an event, this year you can't compete if you test positive for covid, in 2000 China had it's bronze medals in gymnastics taken away, not for a banned substance, but because the athlete was underage. Interestingly she was not 'protected ' or offered immunity from the rules and she was younger than Kamila.

[@starlabaucum5658]

So many double standards especially where Russia is concerned.

[@Woody-2837]

Oh snap, Stefania! Great points on you!!

[@ludakapkina9308]

the black gymnastic was taking a drugs for a years and when she stopped to use them she could not compete...Take away all her medals! But no she has an exceptions, but without drugs she was nothing.

[@kathleensullivan7847]

How fantastic to see Scott a true American Hero, agree about this dear young lady she needs to be sent back home and ROC should not be permitted to compete. They are so corrupt.

[@vatuska]

Bot

[@ljohnson2181]

Irene Koleshnikova is the bot. The whole world knows Russia cheats.

[@nancyleedunn]

@@vatuska Russia cheaters

[@jannibal9273]

Thank you GOLD MEDALIST Scott Hamilton for speaking out clearly and plainly on this. This is horribly unfair to ALL of the other skaters who have CLEAN DRUG TESTS and yet are being deprived of, as you said, their Olympics moment of standing on the podiums and being awarded medals. As for Valieva, she will NEVER be the "greatest female skater of all time" because, frankly, how would we EVER know she hasn't been cheating since she was a REAL kid below age 10, and has been routinely given performance enhancing drugs since then.

[@Kingfisher1215]

And what about men competing as women?

[@silverpurkat]

@@Kingfisher1215 While i agree with on this subject it’s irrelevant to this situation and a distraction right now.

[@petelancaster6715]

@@Kingfisher1215 Don't feed the dumb, right-wing troll.

[@Kingfisher1215]

@@silverpurkat it’s actually on point regarding this because “doping” is to get an advantage, for a transgender athlete, they don’t need to dope, they have the advantage built in.

[@Kingfisher1215]

@@petelancaster6715 because folks like you are outraged by doping but are just fine with gender advantage.

[@ladychiclet]

What an absolute farce! She needs to go home and be held accountable like every other athlete.

[@ludakapkina9308]

if she was like everybody, she did not be what she is. Every law has some exceptions.

[@cw5451]

@@ludakapkina9308 Why are you defending her?

[@aidanlutz8106]

So let me get this straight: She’s old enough to compete, but not old enough to be responsible?

[@lynnloehr1566]

Scott beautifully said. Maybe it's time for Russa to not be included in any form. It's sad for her, that her career, if it survives, will forever be associated with doping.

[@terrypelle9989]

The corruption surrounding the Olympics has convinced me that "sports" has lost integrity to the point that I will NEVER watch the Olympics, again!

[@eightflorentines5542]

I refuse to paint the entire Olympics and all of the athletes who work hard and sacrifice so much with the same brush.

[@howler6490]

I haven't watched 1 item from these games...not missing them...

[@eightflorentines5542]

@@howler6490 You must be "missing them" if you take the time to comment so broadly on something you admit you haven't even watched.

[@darrahhopper6437]

If corruption is a problem for you, why were you watching before? Have you ignored the history of Olympics corruption until now?

[@Ivan-wp1ne1]

go to mommy, lil Terry, give a cry xD

[@luckygardeniasdashboardcon9214]

Totally agree if your old enough to compete then you’re old enough to compete within the standards of Olympic Athletes! How can there be any Pride of winning an Olympic medal when you cheated to win… Such an unfair playing field for those clean athletes!

[@coconutgelato7459]

Why do minors even have to submit doping tests if there are no consequences for testing positive?

[@user-di2on5gl2d]

Scott Hamilton is right! The integrity of the sport has been tainted. I no longer feel the same anymore especially for the Olympics!

[@lindalauer1434]

Scott Hamilton has always been one of my favorite skaters to watch compete. He definitely is a great guy.

[@rajs7876]

He was praising a Eteri's coaching methods like 2 or 3 days ago

[@lindalauer1434]

@@rajs7876 I don't understand. Why would race or country have to do with whether a coach does good or not? I understand it's a competition however, it shouldn't be made into being like a war against the other countries. It's supposed to be a special gift a person has &/or talent.

[@LogicAndCompassion]

@@lindalauer1434 Its okay if thats your opinion, But most people don't feel that way. The Olympics were always designed to pitt country against country. Your coachs against theirs. Your people against theirs. Your determination against theirs. Only recently have things shifted away from patriotism, which i believe to be a big mistake. What is the point of a worldwide competition, if all the athletes are trained, coached, and live in the United States? It makes the flag your wear on your back pointless.

[@Heather-xz8fk]

I love him too. Always have. My hero.

[@aliciascott4299]

I love him as a skater and I really miss him as a commentator as well.

[@mhc121]

So she can get all the benefits of being an Olympian (medals, publicity, sponsorships, etc.), just like anyone else. But when it comes to the rules, she gets special exemptions due to her age? In what world is that fair?? What a joke.

[@Sloooth]

It is really weird. If you compete in senior competitions you should be treated like everyone that is in the same competition!

[@truegrit7697]

This is Bull that Valieva was allowed to skate. When sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson had marijuana (NOT a sports enhancer) in her system (she smoked some marijuana after her mother died), she was suspended from running which caused her to miss the Japan Olympics and her name was dragged through the mud. Valieva took a drug enhancer and was allowed to skate in the Olympics. The only difference is Ssh'Carri is black and Valieva is the weeping-white-princess. Bloody infuriating.

[@curtischildress9580]

Race might be a factor, but other situations are at work which allowed this athlete to compete even with a positive test for drugs. Other athletes of different races, including Caucasian, have been banned for drug use...the odd thing is how Russian athletes are treated differently...they play the Olympics by their own rules.

[@Kingfisher1215]

What is Bull is that you bring race into an argument that isn’t about race.

[@alisa9739]

shes also a child. its not all about race

[@curtischildress9580]

@@Kingfisher1215 You are correct...decision is not about race.

[@mefford67]

*I feel horribly for this young lady, but she has tested positive for a banned substance.* *I won’t watch something I cannot trust, period.* 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@creativelife108]

Then you should know that many athletes in the past had a questionable test result (a micro-dose of a substance, like in this case, not the full doping amount) and had it "cleared" by through court, which takes months, all the while they were allowed to compete and their confidentiality was never revealed.

[@ddee1263]

Who gave her the drugs? Maybe the ioc should not let anyone under 18 compete.

[@narikaba439]

Simple solution. If minors cannot be held to the same rules, then ban all minors. Set an age limit. That is the only way forward.

[@Heather-xz8fk]

She had three drugs in her system and she can skate. I’d like to sell CAS a bridge in Brooklyn if they buy Valievas story. What a joke.

[@19katherine1213]

Russia needs to lean that proper sportsmanship comes first, gold medals second

[@sallyhu5028]

This is STILL an open issue because (1) it's Russia. And rules and laws don't apply to Putin and Russia. If she was "only" silver or bronze level, she would have been out of the Games for testing positive. But ... yeah ... she's gold level so exceptions must be made. Disgusting. Just 15. At the beginning of her career, and her name/accomplishments will always be tainted.

[@cmt635]

I felt sorry for her...but I believe that she was lying about what happened during her testimony the grandfather mix up with medication...DISQUALIFIED

[@j.madisonrink1623]

Every adult who has ever failed Kamila Valieva, and there are many, needs to me abruptly removed from her life

[@paulmullen3336]

Scotty Hamilton is right. Send her home.

[@harumih.3727]

There was already a rumor of drug use at the Russian National last year, around December. I remember that, but didn't know who or whether the rumor was true. According to BBC, she was tested positive last December, yet the result didn't come to IOC until now. Again it seems that the Russian skating coaches lack a morale discipline and a sports ethics.

[@vatuska]

Bot

[@Grammy52]

@@vatuska That coach will do anything…especially cheat…to win. Everyone knows that.

[@viclizardi6152]

Harm has been done to clean athletes

[@Kingfisher1215]

And in the ncaa, to naturally born female athletes.

[@jhoneygoddess]

Please Just Stop: She is not a "marvelous' skater". She is a "marvelous 'drug enhanced' skater".

[@alexandraroman5563]

She skated without drugs during the Olympics. It was back on December 25.. I don't get this about a failed drug test, not in this Olympic. Does Scott think she should be penalized the rest of her life

[@thelmahardman5709]

She needs to follow the rules like all others.The Russians are always causing troubles with doping!

[@amyyoung2292]

This is only partial information， why don't Scott disclose the whole story？ The positive drug test came back in December last year, and she took the drug because of a heart disease problem and not the doping would benefit her. Kamila's performance and technique have always been excellent and unsurpassed. It's not that stimulants can help her perform such difficult movements. Why didn't the Olympic Committee ban her from competing before February 2022? This is because there were no problems with pre-match drug testing. Why do you mention her drug test from last year is positive after Kamila has won the gold medal in the first turn? This is obviously jealous of Russia will take away the gold, silver, and bronze medals. These despicable methods are used to bully a little girl. Don't you have nightmares?

[@MorrisLess]

Truly tragic. She is a beautiful skater and an amazing athlete. I have no doubt that, as Scott says, she took this drug not because she wanted to, but because the Russian Olympic Committee or her trainers insisted. She is a victim. But the IOC is not doing her any favors by excusing the drug use. If they let this go, the ROC will continue doping, and will do it to other, even younger, athletes. I feel sorry for her, but she has to be DSQ-ed. And, as I have long felt, Russia is more of a criminal enterprise than a nation.

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful from the court of arbitration. Insane excuses from the ego mind, this needs to be sorted out once and for all.

[@Kingfisher1215]

Yup. If she were a transgender man, it would all be just fine.

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

@@Kingfisher1215 are you still taking the drugs?

[@creativelife108]

@@user-bu9nb8wr6e Don't you know that first US transgender will be competing in women's figure skating soon?

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

@@creativelife108 no I didn't and it's another subject. Most probably agree with you though lol

[@freddiebates6496]

If she is 15 years old, she can come back clean in four years and compete.

[@adequatename2311]

Not if you are from russia. All russian figure skaters basically retire after 16 years old with injuries and are replaced with younger skaters.

[@imirim]

The fact that they are not going to give out medals in real time is basis for sending her home and not allowing her to continue. The other skaters should refuse to perform until that result is achieved.

[@bethcooper4200]

How sad that all these athletes caught with performance enhancing drugs come up with the lame excuses that someone slipped them a mickey in their drink. Age be dammed. A failed drug test is a failed drug test. Valieva's grandpa being the possible suspect is one for the books. Yeah, and the dog ate her homework.

[@allansheehan2033]

no matter what you are involved with, if there are rules and guidelines that apply, and you don't meet them then you are disqualified !! period !!

[@starlabaucum5658]

I just watched her skate and was so disappointed, it was so sad!!! It was tainted for me, so wrong!!! I will never trust Russia to not dope again!!! Pathetic

[@roncaron8939]

i don't get, why they Russia, was allowed to compete at all? what if i lost my drivers licence then changed my name? would that allow me to get a new licence, by re branding myself?

[@pacmanindy]

When a country is representing a neutral flag due to various circumstances, all athletes who represent this cannot dope or do other crimes!!! Neutral representation is a form of punishment! The IOC could have received drug info on Kamila prior to the Olympics just like Sha’Carri Richardson did when she tested positive for marijuana. Richardson never went to Tokyo!!! Kamila should never have arrived in Beijing for a positive drug test. Clean up your act, IOC!!!

[@ludakapkina9308]

she took the tests before European and Olympic competitions and they were clean. The "bad" test was taking during Russian nationals, and nobody control it. We know about the fight between Russian couches for the place at Olympics. Russian Federation of figure skating did not know about this test, it is crazy.

[@justinzak5025]

So her grandfather baby-birded his food and heart medicine to her... interesting...

[@nicolethomas9]

It’s a weak excuse

[@tameramares5785]

Lol....I know right?! Ridiculous. After that many days of them having to sit around a table to discuss what would be their excuse, they failed miserably!

[@donnabruton7947]

The other skaters should have protested. Why couldn’t they have worn a black ribbon (or some other color) around their arm, leg ext,,,, It’s just not fair. She could always come back. She is only 15 years old.

[@Slambam73]

Not with the coach she has; she'll physically ruin her within the next 2 years. (Not saying she should be allowed to skate now, just pointing out the M.O. of this coach).

[@silverpurkat]

All the skaters from the other countries should stand on the ice rank together as one in protest saying we will not continue until this is resolved. They should because the awards ceremony will not be withheld anyway. They have all to gain and little to lose if they ban together as one voice saying Russia needs to face their consequences. Rules are rules. Honor them!

[@lindabrodney4958]

Excellent excellent idea. It is outrageous to punish everyone else because the country essentially on "probation" commits yet another crime and then screams everyone else is picking on them. I am with the other skaters who sacrificed, worked hard and followed the rules and came up short by the system supposed to look out for them. Maybe Kamila didn't know what she was taking but I bet she sure knew it was SOMETHING. Russian doping is not a novel concept.

[@SassySkater]

She could come back at 19yrs old. But her body would not be as capable of doing then what she can now. It is scientifically proven that by the time you reach 18/19 your body has changed in ways that prevent you from jumping at the same capacity you do at 15. Her country stole her glory and she be over the moon with furry at them for what they've done to her. Quit pushing these kids to compete with the adults. They're kids. They should be stronger etc than an aging adult. Leave the kids in the junior olympics. And then let them compete on the adult level when they are actually adults! Duh!

[@drunkpekka4284]

Eteri wont let her. All Eteri girls only last one Olympic cycle, if they are even lucky enough to go to the Olympics. After that, they are replaced.

[@jppd4059]

If Kamila had an ounce of morality, she would withdraw and go back from where she came from -- Russsia. But sadly, she is not. Kamila will never have the respect from fellow figure skaters. Everyone should be chanting, "Send Kamila home!"

[@ruthwolter58]

A positive test is a positive test regardless of her age or the circumstance. She should NOT be competing. I may never watch international or Olympic skating again.

[@lindaburns7028]

If Kamila does win gold it is meaningless to everyone and is causing resentment to the others who have tested clean and now do not have an opportunity to receive their medal if they win which is a huge part of the Olympics

[@faceymagee1283]

Send her home

[@elainenelson7898]

Scott..you are the days when Ice Skating was strong and powerful, and exciting. Your back flip thou! Miss you!

[@erikgj15]

It’s the fact that after all the coverage Kaori Sakamoto and Wakaba Higuchi gave superior performances with better choreography better skating skills and Wakaba with a TRIPLE AXEL AND STILL PLACED THIRD AND FIFTH RESPECTIVELY! Make it make SENSE!!!!!!!

[@59bookie]

I agree. I watched the skating and thought Kaori Sakamoto was flawless. The judging has definitely been an issue these games.

[@harumih.3727]

What harm? She is still 15 years old and she has a longer future. Just because she is a minor doesn't change the fact and it is totally unfair to others who have endured strenuous trainings to attend the Olympics games. As Adam Rippon said, it is shameful if she happily goes into the ice rink. And as Tara and Johnny said, she should be banned from competing. Doesn't she feel embarrassed? Every athlete came to come here to compete by following the rules of Olympics. She shouldn't banned under the rules.

[@harumih.3727]

And according to BBC, there were 3 different substances that were found inside the body.

[@sealseba8762]

She still had Olympics when she is 19. This was a injustice to her bc she will carry this cloud for the rest of her career

[@jeremyepp2980]

Sadly she will not be able to make the Olympics when she is 19... she will be lucky if she can still walk, check out the coaches past young stars... most of them had horrible back injuries by the time they hit 17

[@BigDanOz]

Too bad, doping equals disqualification 😎

[@ashleighrose8115]

Does the same Olympic comitee that Over sees the summer Olympics, Over see the American Olympics as well!? Cause I'm not one to throw race around, but if it is the same comitee, then to me that's not just an unfair double standard, that's straight up discrimination and racism. The black girl smokes weed to unwind during a difficult time and her Olympic career is tarnished forever, for literally using a substance thats widely legal and recreational in her home country But the white Russian girl gets a pass for not only failing a drug test, but having a drug in her system that A. Is actually found to inhance performance and B. That Was NOT prescribed to her to begin with, which is a CRIME punishable by law and has 0 reasonable explanation for it!

[@IIISofiaIII]

You will be surprised by the fact that Kamila is actually not white (she is Tatar, etnicity that cosidered as a minority in Russia, they are of mongolian and turkic origin).

[@willnill7946]

Smoking weed is against federal law, it is illegal. Of course the black girl thinks everything is about her being black, because that’s all black people think about because that’s what they are told.

[@1bobbysidnahart]

I would like to see Valieva withdraw from the 2022 competition, learn from it and focus on the next Olympics.

[@springbrookorganicdairy7911]

I feel so bad for this young girl. I saw her skate and my mouth dropped. I was so impressed I even mentioned it to my husband that he has got to see it. I thought man, she has just broken the ceiling for all those tall girls who were told they are just to big to skate competitively. Now she will have to carry this burden the rest of her life mostly on her own. Whose wise or confidante enough to go against their doctors/coaches/trainers at that age. No one. The trainers, doctors, and coaches should be banded in their fields. Permanently. Peace

[@oldiesmusic76]

Bring back Scott Hamilton to announcing figure skating!! Why they removed him is beyond me.

[@rainstarr1]

"Cross contamination"? They don't know facts but still letting her go ahead? The Olympics can't even be uncorrupt.

[@joyluke10]

not to mention the pathetic judging, if it wasn't for that one judge that finally spoke up about what was really going on. Tonya Harding wasn't liked by them because she was poor, which the judges said was tacky ... wtf is that... even though she landed the first triple axel in competition... disgusting sport on many accounts..... and now the young girls tossed aside because of injury or puberty..

[@norag9015]

Russia should not be allowed to compete in the next Olympics!

[@MrErinholbert]

I think the doctor with Eteri and she are the ones who should be investigated completely. No telling what they gave the girl

[@Schloss3868]

Girls - how could one believe they would they would just give it to one person.

[@MrErinholbert]

@@Schloss3868 well they obviously didn’t give it to Anna Shcherbakova or Alexandra Trusova! Why? Because they’re older and most likely don’t do as many quads.

[@susanvirginia6037]

Sadly, we don't know if she would be as good as she is if she hadn't been able to benefit from banned drugs in training/performance. There was horrific abuse of girls in the US Olympic Gymnastics program and we can't turn a blind eye to possible abuse in the Russian Olympic program. We have to have learned something about letting young teens live at the mercy of the adults around them.

[@Grammy_Indyof2]

The whole thing is WRONG!!!! She should NOT be able to compete...... End of story.

[@ordinarypebbles]

Is this first time for Russian indeed? Sochi was also controversial.

[@Lana2k6]

Sochi was a joke, particularly in the women's singles event. Yu-na Kim should have won gold and Sotnikova shouldn't have been anywhere near the podium.

[@noelgenoway9360]

Shame shame shame on Russia. The mentality of "Winning at all Cost" has to stop in Russia. This is suppose to be WOMEN's Figure Skating - no Teen age Girls skating!!! USSR/ ROC/Russia what ever you call it!!!! RUSSIA stop this. IOC grow some balls and BAN Russia!!!

[@junewicks9954]

The most important thing I learned from this video is that there is a chat for everyone who is an Olympic gold medalist

[@michellerains2732]

*American Olympic Gold Medalists

[@jkk4303]

I agree with Scott that once the athlete is tested positive drug test, they are automatically disqualified period! Russia is trying to use her under age as an excuse to get away with it but she is completing with adults, therefore she should be treated as an adult. So unfair for other athletes who is trying their best without cheating! Kim Yuna was cheated but she didn't talk about it but I am sure she had enough and voicing now for other athletes!

[@finlandblogger2086]

Did he just called her the greatest? She's on drug . Shes not a victim.

[@kristinmoreno9203]

"Not allowing Valieva to compete would cause irreparable damage ."...?? What about the DRUGS in her system causing IRREPARABLE DAMAGE....🤔

[@angelface2022]

Yes, it's been confirmed 3-different heart medications found in her system

[@harreetteB477]

Her corrupt, drug pushing coaches have forever tainted, marred this talented, young skaters reputation.

[@edmccue8241]

Kamila has had negative tests prior to the Olympics and during the Olympics. So why are they not talking to that ? They are concerned about a test that was taken in December, that was mishandled for 43 days.

[@chareve1958]

Exactly. WTF?

[@alexandersupertramp7353]

I'm done watching the Olympics. Every single country has more important issues than more sports to WASTE money on. And now you want to not allow one athlete to run, but another can skate? Meh. The IOC is nothing but a waste of money, and mental health for the athlete's who are under extreme pressure to perform perfectly, or be shamed or worse in certain countries. Russia has been cheating for over 50 years. But the IOC still refuses to put their foot down. You are your own demise IOC

[@kathleenaustin327]

The sprinter that was banned for pot should be upset!!! The athletes that metal and don't get a ceremony should also be upset!!!! This is outrageous!!!

[@jjh2456]

She is.

[@rachelgarber1423]

They don’t know how to play fair

[@tameramares5785]

What's worse is that I don't believe they even care to.

[@sallieanngordon997]

All the awesome skaters have been working all of their lives for this special moment at the 2022 Olympics. Now because of one person Kamila, there will be no metal ceremony, what is fair about that? They should have sent her home so they approved her to compete so she can cheat!

[@dmajoriu21]

What about Sha’Carri Richardson’s irreparable damage????

[@tameramares5785]

Apparently, hers doesn't even matter. That is really bad. She has such a valid point in her tweet. Where was her leniency? I believe though that Americans are less likely to support our Athletes doping. We see it more as a rule breaking thin line, where as Russia sees it as an "ooppss!"

[@sheikhmansur7734]

Kamila passed clean samples before the Olympics. Camila passed clean samples before the Olympics

[@kguerr197]

Because she's from Team USA and they take IOC rules as universal law whereas Russia actually has state sponsored doping program for their athletes. Two different countries with different standards. Has nothing to do with her race this time. She failed a drug test; she gets disqualified and out of the games. It's like the military to be honest.

[@moniqueengleman873]

No No No, she had three different drugs in her system. All three combined enhance cardiac output. Meaning a stronger heart and less fatigue. She also has four quads in her program, plus more jumps than anyone else. This is nefarious.

[@rcgldr]

Keep in mind that Valieva tested clean for this Olympics, and also tested clean in all but that one test from 6 or 7 weeks ago. Also she tested positive for 3 heart medications, 2 of which are not banned, and the banned one is known to be tested for since it has been detected before with other athletes, and it seem unlikely to deliberately use a drug that is known to be tested for. Until the investigation is completed, which could result in her being cleared, she should be allowed to compete. If the investigation finds she deliberately doped, they could take away the medal afterwards. That was one of the points made during arbitration.

[@SK-vj5nb]

Once you have drugs in your system she’s a cheater. And she should be banned. I am so done with excuses

[@rcgldr]

@@SK-vj5nb - there have been cases of US athletes, including gold medal winners, testing positive for banned substances, but they were not banned. Depends on the circumstances.

[@SK-vj5nb]

@@rcgldr no one cheated like . They should be banned forever. All of them.

[@rcgldr]

@@SK-vj5nb - each drug test is two samples, A and B. Either the B sample showed up negative, or it hasn't been tested yet. The court of arbitration is waiting for the B sample results as well as other factors before deciding she truly tested positive (which requires both tests), and other factors to decide if she is responsible. They aren't following their own rules of having both tests show positive, so technically, she hadn't tested positive yet.

[@SK-vj5nb]

My belief is once you test for drugs you should never ever be able to compete because you’re already a cheater. And not include any team anywhere that is just my belief. I can’t watch these Olympics anymore because of how the way China and Russia cheats

[@Nikki-oe7gr]

I've always loved Scott Hamilton and even paid to attend his Stars on Ice show, but the hubris involved in this segment blows my mind. First, Scott bringing up how he didn't take cold medicine when he won the Gold was absurd. He was a full grown adult of 25, not an underage 15 year old. Second, The Olympics is not a "movement"... the fight for civil rights is a movement, the fight for women's rights is a movement, and so on. The Olympics is corporate sponsored sports competition/show. Repeatedly putting it at the level of a "movement" is just ego. Third, as someone whose mother was in a concentration camp in World War II and nephew was killed in the Iraq War, I can say having to delay the schedule of medal presentation is NOT a "tragedy." Seriously, people need to get perspective. Fourth, though others have been banned from playing, there's some who tested positive and were allowed... this is nothing new. Furthermore, for all the hand ringing about how this brings shame to the Olympic games, this is far from the worst scandal in modern Olympic history... not even just in figure skating, I recall vividly Nancy Kerrigan getting knee-capped in the weeks before the Olympics, and though Tanya Harding was under suspicion for having some indirect involvement, she was still allowed to participate in the Olympics. And when Nancy came in second, I recall Nancy being caught on camera making a snarky comment about the medal ceremony being delayed because the gold metal winner Oksana Baiul's national anthem needed to be found to play. The Olympics, and figure skating in particular, is full of scandals, drama, and catty behavior, so let's not pretend it's about the pure love of sport and competition. Fifth and finally, I'd never heard of Kamila Valieva until a couple of weeks ago, but as a mother, I worry for her. Scott saying towards the end that she's the victim in all this, after spending most of the segment acting like she's a Bond villain, is astoundingly disingenuous. Teenagers often go into major depressions after traumatic events (like being publicly humiliated roasted world-wide), if God forbid Kamila went into a depression and harmed herself as can often happen when teens feel overwhelmed and hopeless, *THAT* would be a tragedy, and Scott and all those piling on would be complicit in that tragedy. This is a CHILD! Scott, Tara, Johnny, etc. are grown as adults piling on humiliating a child. It's gross! Whatever was or wasn't in Kamila's system did not magically make her a phenomenal skater, and Scott as much as admitted that, but was willing to drag her through the mud anyway. If you don't like the rules being different for someone being underage, then they shouldn't have allowed anyone under 18 to compete... which if that had been the case, Tara Lipinski, who's gotten pretty far on her high horse about this, would not have won Olympic Gold, because she would've been too young. You take the good with the bad with these rules, so people need to stop whining and actually give a crap that this could ruin a 15 year old's life.

[@durtyragoux]

Stop crying, she'll be fine. She's supremely talented and has a great career ahead of her. The only problem here is that she shouldn't have been allowed to compete, period. Also, the excuse that she somehow got contaminated because of her grandfather's meds is lame, but that's a whole lot of thought you put into something so meaningless, in defense of a poor little skater who cheated, end of story.

[@Nikki-oe7gr]

@@durtyragoux, Thank you for putting your words in writing. That way if God forbid her life is destroyed or worse by this, there will be a clear record of the heartless A-holes that facilitated it.

[@periscop2023]

Comparing athlete under real drugs and Valieva. What a joke. Heroin has no positive effect for athlet's result too. Why disqualify?

[@jlee4039]

The IOC and CAS have basically condoned the doping of underage girls. Eteri Tutberidze and other unscrupulous coaches will learn this lesson: let's focus our doping on our youngest athletes since under-16 athletes will always be given a free pass. Disgusting!!

[@mariadeguair7303]

She should have not been allowed to partake in the winter Olympics at all!

[@susangort2794]

She shouldn't be allowed to skate!!! NO BUTS!! Really hate watching figure skating because of the doping. CHEATING!!!!!

[@ludakapkina9308]

Kamila's soul more clean then the souls of some media people. She was crying because she made decision to lose and save the gold medals for the Russian team. Some Americans would not understand that.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

If it were anyone but a Russian (and not saying it's her personal fault), she would be suspended, she would cry, some would feel sorry for her, and she would come back in four years at age 19 and in eight years at age 23. Being a female Russian skater, she will be spit out of the system there before the next Olympics in Italy and there will be another 15- or 16-year old phenom, with or without PEDs. That is an equally sickening scandal: how the Russian Skating Federation treats its female athletes.

[@Bethelight-mg8qc]

This is not right. Even if she won she should not medal. If you let this go it opens the door for others to ignore the rules.

[@wishywashyjuan]

Richardson couldn't run but she got to skate? Hitting the bong extra angrily tonight. I smoked clean!!!

[@carmensanchezakin5172]

All Rules and Regulations SHOULD APPLY TO ALL WHOM PARTICIPANTE NO FAVORITES doesn't matter where what county you represent color or race FAIR IS FAIR !!!!!!!!! If you know you did wrong Admit your faults Makes you a better person

[@paintlover70]

The young lady should have just pulled out of the competition. Because she competed, she will always be remembered for this. If she had removed herself from the competition, it wouldn't have been such a hot topic. Does not matter what her age is, she's playing in the big leagues, and she and her coaching staff should have to abide by the same rules as the adults. The excuse that not letting her complete could hurt her is just ludicrous. What about the current contestants and the past contestants? Obviously, the committee didn't take the current contestants into consideration. This just blew the door wide open to use the excuse of, but it was cross contamination.

[@victorybeginsinthegarden]

That excuse make me not trust her more

[@cmozoo]

It is irreparable harm to the Olympics. The only way for the Olympic ruling bodies to save face is to ban Kamila from completing the free skate. It would be fine if she skates the free skate For Exhibition Only with no scoring. Russia must be banned from _at least_ the next 2 Olympics and with none of this ROC crap. Let the coaches, et al, who abused this young girl by drugging her, burn in 🤬.