2022 Winter Olympics.

[red_elk]

The court released document about appeal decision.
https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/OG_22_08-09-10_Arbitral_Award__publication_.pdf

Few interesting details there:

"The medical expert Andrey Zholinskiy, called by the Athlete’s representatives, explained that Trimetazidine requires a prescription, a therapeutic effect requires regular intake, it is forbidden for use in children, the substance produces sideeffects like dizziness and extrapyramidal disorder which are detrimental to sports like figure skating where coordination is essential. Intake through contamination is possible, and traces can be found in samples even if somebody in the Athlete’s environment uses this medication and this could happen through contaminated objects."

"In the DADC’s opinion, in fact, the Athlete could have consumed a product which has been contaminated by the drugs used in her inner circle: “The Athlete assumes that the contamination occurred through dishes used by the Athlete and the Athlete’s grandfather (through drinking liquid from the same glass, as well). The Athlete together with her representative intend to conduct further investigation and present the results at the main hearings”.

"Considering the above, together with the Athlete’s anti-doping test history, the concentration of Trimetazidine in the Sample, the Polish study mentioned during the expert testimony, the harmful effect of the substance to children and the side effects on coordination which excludes the conscious use by the Athlete of trimetazidine to improve sports results, the opinions of the invited experts, the DADC concluded that “a low concentration of the substance of 2.1 ng / ml, in conjunction with negative doping samples taken before and after positive doping sample, indicates that that the Athlete did not take trimetazidine as a course to achieve a therapeutic effect and improve athletic performance” and that “the Athlete’s representatives were able to establish at a comfortable satisfaction of the Committee that the entry of a prohibited substance into the Athlete’s body is highly likely due to contamination”. Moreover, the DADC also took into consideration that the Athlete’s legal representative disputed the positive results of the Sample alleging that the concentration of 2.1 ng/ml, is well below the technical limit of detection of Trimetazidine, which is 10 ng/ml, and may be a technical mistake of the sample analysis in the laboratory and she confirmed at the hearing the intention to request the analysis of the “B” sample."

 

[Gelion]

Moreover, the DADC also took into consideration that the Athlete’s legal representative disputed the positive results of the Sample alleging that the concentration of 2.1 ng/ml, is well below the technical limit of detection of Trimetazidine, which is 10 ng/ml, and may be a technical mistake of the sample analysis in the laboratory and she confirmed at the hearing the intention to request the analysis of the “B” sample."

If true, it is sickening.

 

[lymond]

They ruined the poor girl. She was obviously a wreck yesterday.

 

[Anysense]

They ruined the poor girl. She was obviously a wreck yesterday.

Worst of all is that she is now facing months in limbo. That's not likely to end well regardless of the verdict.

 

[Gelion]

What probably went through her head was "Why would I try to win gold as even if I win it will be taken away from me". Thats a lot for a 15 year old girl.

 

[Gelion]

Shame of an article by shame of a journalist. I decided to add the facts that this almost-journalist omitted just to show how much of BS people are fed.

<article>
AP Exclusive: US skaters file appeal to get Olympic medals

By EDDIE PELLSan hour ago

ZHANGJIAKOU, China (AP) — The U.S. figure skaters whose Olympic silver medals are being withheld have filed an appeal to have them awarded before the end of the Beijing Games, with a decision expected as soon as Saturday night.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed to The Associated Press that it was hearing the case Saturday evening in Beijing and expected a rapid ruling.

In a letter sent to IOC president Thomas Bach, a copy of which was obtained by AP, attorneys for the skaters said they sought a ruling before Sunday’s closing ceremony.
Kamila Valieva led the Russian team to a victory in last week’s team event, and the U.S. finished second. Valieva's contribution was one of the 6(!) athletes. She certainly didn't compete in the The men's short program, Pairs program, Ice Dance and in Men category. I put a picture of two athletes in this article's heading and worded my article in such a way to overstate Valieva's importance in this case. She literally participated in 2 events out of 8.

Soon after, a positive doping test for the 15-year-old skater was disclosed. CAS allowed her to continue skating at the women’s event, but the International Olympic Committee said it would not award medals in any events in which she finished among the top three. The doing test was not for the Olympics but from December testing. As an underjounralist I have forgotten to mention that Valieva passed her doping tests before the Olympics. I have also omitted the reasons why she was allowed to compete to create a sense of injustice in my readers aimed at Russians and the authorities that are not being just.

She finished fourth in the women’s event — crying as she left the ice, then criticized by her coach after a mistake-filled long program. The coach said "why did you gave up after this element? and I certainly didn't want to use specific quotes. This coach that leads Russians to victory over several years certainly needs to be criticised and eventually removed.

This case involves the team event held the previous week. The Russians won the event by a large margin. Japan was third and Canada finished fourth.
The letter sent on behalf of the American runners-up says the IOC’s “own rules mandate that a victory ceremony ‘to present medals to the athletes shall follow the conclusion of each sports event.’”
In a meeting earlier this week with the skaters, Bach offered them Olympic torches as something of a holdover memento while the doping case, which could take months, or even years, plays out.

In their letter to Bach, the attorneys said they hoped the IOC would reconsider but that because of the urgency, they were filing the appeal.

U.S. Figure Skating executive director Ramsey Baker sent the AP a statement standing in support of the skaters.
“Having a medal ceremony at an Olympic Games is not something that can be replicated anywhere else, and they should be celebrated in front of the world before leaving Beijing,” Baker said.
The letter to Bach, sent by attorney Paul Greene, who represents athletes in doping and other cases against Olympic authorities, said the IOC president had asked the athletes for their input.
“A dignified medal ceremony from our clients’ vantage point is one in the Medals Plaza as originally planned and afforded to all other medalists,” he wrote.

After Valieva’s test became public, Russia’s anti-doping agency at first put her on provisional suspension, then lifted the suspension. That triggered the IOC and World Anti-Doping Agency to lead an appeal to CAS, which acted swiftly and said Valieva could still compete.
I have omitted all of the reasons why Valieva was allowed to compete to create a feeling of favouritism that is favouritism towards the Russians and to fuel the feeling of unresolved justice issue in my readers.

That did not resolve the larger question about the result from the team competition.

Nine Americans stand to get some sort of medal out of that — either the second-place prize they’re aiming to receive this weekend, or a gold that could become theirs if the Russian’s are disqualified because of Valieva’s doping case.
Because she is 15, Valieva is considered a “protected person” under anti-doping rules, and is not expected to receive a harsh penalty. Her coaches and doctors are being investigated by Russian and world anti-doping authorities.
I have put this sentence here because I needed to have included this reason for journalistic standards, but in no way is this sentence related to decisions taken by CAS.

AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar contributed to this report.
<article>

Thats your journalism. Fuelled to create emotions and promote sense of injustice. Just like in politics.

 

[red_elk]

These people will blame her in lying to the Olympic committee, in using doping, mock her about accidentally taking granddad's pills.
And in the same time, cry crocodile tears about poor child being abused by her coaches and the country.

 

[Arwon]

They really need to raise the minimum age to like 18

 

[Anysense]

Not the worst example, loads of crap coming out. Some articles are even self-defeating. Like criticizing Tutberidze for keeping her skaters thin while stating in the previous paragraph that the sport is peppered with athletes suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Or explaining how Russians turned firgure skating into jumping competition, while providing the data which shows that the gold winner's technical score was 6 points less than that of the silver one. And they insert small lies here and there like this one, claiming Tutberidze 'barked' at Kamila
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ila-valievas-entourage-over-skaters-treatment
Call it journalism... And they say I should buy this ludicrous narrative about Russia invading its neighbours for fun and profit, while it is based on the same kind of shameless lies that English-speaking audience has been fed for decades, even centuries.

 

[red_elk]

They really need to raise the minimum age to like 18

The raise to 17 is being discussed for some time already.
It kind of makes sense, however there is the similar problem like in gymnastics. That there will be athletes, objectively best in the world, but not allowed to compete in world championships, olympic games and other adult tournaments, because of age restrictions.

 

[Azem.Ocram]

NBC is losing money over the Olympics because of the obvious corruption and favoritism by China.

 

[Anysense]

NBC is losing money over the Olympics because of the obvious corruption and favoritism by China.

Like those 'journalists' you 'forgot' to mention that NBC took part (and still does) in US-led defamation campaign against China. Hard to expect high viewership for an event which you spent months branding as genocide Olympics. Typical self-defeating piece of second-grade American propaganda. Olympic's future may indeed be in danger, but that's because US is working hard to politicize and weaponize it.

 

[EnglishEdward]

At least we have finally won a Silver and avoided a complete wash out.

 

[red_elk]

Russia won 31 medals so far, but only 6 golds
Only Canada and Italy are similarly unlucky.

 

[Gelion]

Russia won 31 medals so far, but only 6 golds
Only Canada and Italy are similarly unlucky.

Its okay, its been like that for many years. Total amount of medals is a good indicator of the success of the country as well.

 

[Azem.Ocram]

Like those 'journalists' you 'forgot' to mention that NBC took part (and still does) in US-led defamation campaign against China. Hard to expect high viewership for an event which you spent months branding as genocide Olympics. Typical self-defeating piece of second-grade American propaganda. Olympic's future may indeed be in danger, but that's because US is working hard to politicize and weaponize it.

By definition, defamation cannot be true. China continues to genocide Uyghurs, oppress its own people, colonize Africa, etc.

 

[Snowygerry]

Yes ! Gold

Mission accomplished you can close the Olympic games now

Bart Swings accepts first winter gold for Belgium since 1948 - KTVZ

 

[Gelion]

colonize Africa

Do you oppose colonization in principle?

 

[Birdjaguar]

This is from today's WSJ:

JASON GAY

Grim Olympics Stumble to Finish

A doping-shadowed figure skating finale goes sideways, underlining the bleak mood of the Winter Games competition

At least they cracked down on the Prada snowboard. That’s a place where these Winter Olympics were ready to take a stand. A snowboarder using an unsanctioned, Prada-designed snowboard was reportedly instructed to block out the “Prada” logo. Brave stuff. Elsewhere, at the doping-shadowed, already-disastrous women’s figure skating competition, there was no bravery, only cruelty.

On Thursday, a signature event of these Beijing Games came to a heartbreaking conclusion, as the embattled 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva—under the cloud of a positive test for a banned medication—crumbled in her finale. It was a debacle, albeit a different one than anticipated. Heading into Thursday, the fear was the optic if Valieva, as expected, won the competition.

It’s why the IOC decided there would be no podium ceremony if Valieva finished 1, 2, or 3—a bizarre bit of choreography intended to avoid the look of awarding a medal to an accused participant. But it also felt like sweeping reality under the rug. As it turned out, Valieva stumbled in her free skate, repeatedly, and dropped off the podium altogether. It meant the ceremony could go on, with Valieva’s Russian Olympic Committee teammates, Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, securing gold and silver, and Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, taking the bronze.
All good then, right? Hardly. It was a mess.

Valieva was in pieces as soon as she stepped off the rink and was met by her ever-controversial coach, Eteri Tutberidze. Shcherbakova, the winner, seemed unsure if she could celebrate. Trusova, shocked she didn’t win gold, raged off to the side. “I hate this sport,” Trusova said. It was difficult to watch. On NBC, the usually-chatty Tara Lapinski and Johnny Weir could barely summon words. (Weir’s Russian translation skills, however, provided a lifeline.) If you’ve been paying any attention to Beijing—and if you believe the ratings, a shrinking proportion of you are—you felt something like this was coming. It’s hard not to see the skating fiasco as an apt conclusion for a Winter Olympics that have been fraught from the start.

As the Journal’s senior sports correspondent, Rachel Bachman, wrote Thursday night on Twitter: These Olympics are grim. She’s right, of course. These Games are grim, and have felt that way for a while. Barraged by complaints about its record on free speech and human rights, boycotted by diplomats from the U.S. and other countries, Beijing was a problematic host from Day 1. These Olympics began with questions not about facilities and ceremonies, but work camps, exploitation and abuse.

Add the melancholy of Covid-19—half-empty stadiums, hazmat suits, and media outfits like NBC opting to keep talent home rather than risk a stay in quarantine—and a dystopian gloom settled in. The IOC’s response was to spin—to try to win the PR battle, or at least flatten debate, by claiming the Games are apolitical, and it isn’t the IOC’s place to intervene. This was a dubious claim for an event which began with Xi Jinping hosting Vladimir Putin at the opening ceremony, where the torch was lit by a young Uyghur athlete from Xinjiang, an act of defiant stagecraft by the host.

The Olympics are always political. Why would Beijing be any different? Still, at a certain point, every Olympic host can count on the pageantry of the Games taking over, and drowning out any uncomfortable noise. That didn’t really happen this time. It came to a head with Valieva’s case, a dispute that should have been resolved long before the Games, but wasn’t, owing to a lab delay. In late December, at a Russian competition, the teenager delivered a positive test for a heart medication, trimetazidine, which is banned because of the belief it can help blood flow and performance. Explanations followed, including that Valieva may have accidentally taken her grandfather’s pills.

That seemed less likely after it was revealed Valieva had two other, legal heart medications in her system. It’s reminded that the Russians don’t compete as Russia in the Olympics—after a state-sponsored doping scandal in Sochi, they have been reclassified as the Russian Olympic Committee, or ROC, a useless bit of IOC rebranding presented as a penalty.

The most troubling part was Valieva’s age: 15, which suggested adult intervention and agendas. The IOC president Thomas Bach said Friday that the organization wanted Valieva removed from the competition, but it was bound to the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which declared the Russian a “protected” athlete who would suffer “irreparable” harm were she banned from competition. But who was being protected— and from what? Valieva was placed in an impossible position.

Her competition was enraged, believing she should have been removed. Previous medal winners remained in limbo. (Valieva and her ROC teammates won gold in a team competition earlier in the Games.) The women’s figure skating event—historically, a high point of the Winter Games—was scandalized anew. It was a heavy human cost for standing idle. On Friday, the IOC’s Bach tried to extract the organization from the mess, expressing sympathy for Valieva, his distress at Thursday’s scenes, and pledging a look into Valieva’s figure skating entourage— as if the Russian Olympic Committee just wandered into the Games off a bus. He’ll need one of those hazmat suits for this cleanup.

As for that Prada snowboard, it’s no more. There’s some disagreement over details, but the main issue appears to be that Prada wasn’t an Olympic-approved sponsor. Never mind that the competitor, U.S. snowboarder Julia Marino, had already won a silver medal in “slopestyle” earlier in the Games, on the same red-striped board. As always, the Olympic message was: protect the money. Marino tried experimenting with ways to cover up the Prada logo on the bottom of her board, but all of them seemed to interfere with her performance. Uncomfortable, and hurting from a prior crash, Marino withdrew from the “ big air” event, another athlete caught in the business of the Games. Grim. But for these Olympics, thoroughly on brand.

Kamila Valieva—under the cloud of a positive test for a banned medication, stumbled in Thursday’s free skate.

 

[Azem.Ocram]

Do you oppose colonization in principle?

Yes, I do. Whether via sword, debt, or pen, I oppose colonization.