Posted on 02/12/2022 6:31:12 PM PST by billorites
Russia may need an Olympic "timeout" as doping issues resurface after figure skating prodigy Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance at the Beijing Winter Games, senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound from Canada said.
Russian athletes at the Beijing Games are already not competing under their flag while carrying the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on their uniforms, and their anthem is not being played at any ceremonies, following sanctions imposed for the widespread doping across many sports exposed after the Sochi Games.
The 15-year-old Valieva became an early darling of the Beijing Games when she became the first woman to land a quadruple jump at the Olympics and helped the ROC win a team gold.
However, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said she tested positive for banned heart drug Trimetazidine in a urine sample collected by Russian authorities on Dec. 25.
The Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA imposed a provisional suspension on Valieva on Tuesday then lifted it a day after on appeal.
"At a certain point if they are absolutely incorrigible you end up with the position of take a country timeout," said Pound in a phone interview from Florida. "We could say we can help you. You got a problem. We can concentrate on it. Take a time out for one or two, or three Olympic Games until you get this under control."
Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping rules, but denies running a state-sponsored doping program.
"The Russians don't help themselves because they have been absolutely unrepentant," said Pound. "They won't admit anything, they appeal every single decision."
"I think the approach probably has been too lenient to allow them to compete as the Russian Olympic Committee."
Valieva's failed drug test has reawakened global anger over Moscow's doping history and outrage over how a minor came to have a prohibited drug in her system. Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, 15, tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication before the Games, Russian media have reported. The positive test could cost Russia the team gold. (Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images)
"There are all kinds of things going on and I'm sure the Russians have lawyered up and are trying anything and everything to control the damage," said Pound. "But how could you have possibly exposed her to that risk.
"This is not like a tainted supplement this is a non-therapeutic use of a fairly potent drug."
Pound said efforts to work with Russia and appease them have not worked and a different approach to the problem may be necessary.
"It's sort of appeasement, I forget who described it this way but appeasement is sort of like feeding the alligators and hoping you will be the last one they eat," he said.
Dick
Pound
Yeah, there’s a Jeffrey Toobin joke in here somewhere.
At the point Russians not testing positive just means they are getting better a not getting caught.
Likely the 15 year old screwed up by taking two pills when it should have been one. The rest of the team followed protocol to dope just enough to pass the test.
That cannot be his real name. He sounds like a character in a
John Waters movie. John Waters directed the bizarre and infamous
“Pink Flamingos” in 1972
Nice name, but I knew a guy named Richard Rider. His middle name might as well have been “do NOT call me Dick”.
“Dick Pound”
The Bee?
Tell me this guy used to have a career in porn.
Interesting name.
What was the story about again?
“:...banned heart drug Trimetazidine in a urine sample collected by Russian authorities on Dec. 25. ...”
I don’t understand how a Christmas Day urine sample can affect a performance the second week of February. If it were a horse race the winner would be sampled after the race.
I think the question is whether she should have been allowed to compete at all. If she failed a drug test at the Russian Olympic trials then she may have been subject to an automatic suspension.
If men can fraudulently compete as pretend women then what difference does any of this make? 🤪
Lol, you beat me to it.
got it - thanks!
I am taking a wild guess that China dopes just as much as Russia. It takes no courage for a Westerner to call out Russia but criticizing China is a different matter entirely.
yeeesh...
Dirty Freaking Russians. They cheated on every Missile Treaty they ever signed.
They can’t compete with their flag or anthem at the Olympics.
And they dope a 15 year old phenom, who landed the first quad in women’s skating. She is clear and above the best skater by a huge margin at the Olympics.
Why cheat? There is a foul smell within the Russian soul.
I flew with a PJ in the AF whose name was Carl P. Ennis. First time I flew with him I thought they were messing with me when I took the roll for the flight.
Sounds like a porn actor’s name.
That’s a guy who takes matters into his own hand. It must be self satisfying.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.