*This content was translated by AI.
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva (19), who shocked the world due to the doping scandal, has finally failed to participate in the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. The four-year suspension was lifted, but he was unable to make it to the Olympics.
"AP News" reported on the 1st (Korea Standard Time) that Valieva participated in the Russian Jump Championships in Moscow for the first time since the doping discipline expired and made her return. The media made it clear that Valieva was cheered by the crowd when he succeeded in a quadruple (fourth round) toe loop jump in the preliminary round, but was not eligible for the Olympics.
Valieva led the team to a gold medal at the age of 15 at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, but a sample submitted in December 2021 tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned drug, causing a stir during the Olympics. In the aftermath, the gold medal in the team event of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) was deprived, and the United States succeeded the gold medal.
The incident also angered 'figure queen' Kim Yu-na. At the time, when Valieva participated in the individual event at the Olympics despite her doping detection, Kim Yu-na said on her personal social network service (SNS), "A player who violates doping cannot participate in the event. This principle must be followed without exception. All athletes' efforts and dreams are equally precious," he said.
In the end, Valieva was suspended for four years by the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The disciplinary action did not expire until December 2025.
However, his dream of returning to the Olympics did not come true. Valieva will not be able to compete at the Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Olympics, which will open on the 6th.
In order to participate in the Olympics, they must secure the right to participate by performing in international competitions recognized by the International Skating Union (ISU). However, Valieva did not have the opportunity to qualify for the event due to the overlapping disciplinary period and Olympic qualifying period.
Valieva tried to make a comeback in his country's tournament, but his performance was not good. The return competition was not a regular program, but was conducted by performing only jumping techniques for 90 seconds to score points. Valieva made a series of mistakes in the semi-finals, with the first quadruple toe-loop landing rocked and the second attempt with a banging on her hip. In the end, he missed the final ticket given to the top three and ended the competition in sixth place.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere at the scene was hot. "The stadium had a banner with Valieva's name on it, and fans still showed support by throwing dolls on the ice," Reuters said.
On the Olympic stage without Valieva, another Russian athlete is aiming for the gold medal. Adelia Petrosyan of Russia will compete as an individual neutral player. According to foreign media, Petrosian is considered a strong candidate for the women's singles gold medal.
In the meantime, Valieva's next Olympic challenge is no promise. Valieva, who has been thwarted by his trip to Milan, has to commit to the 2030 Games if he wants to try again.
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*This content was translated by AI.
