IOC welcomes investigation into role of Valieva's entourage in doping case

Beijing, Feb 12, Sergei Fuks. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomes the beginning of an investigation into the environment of the Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva after the publication of the fact of a positive doping test of the athlete, said the head of the press service of the IOC, Mark Adams. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) initiated an investigation against Valieva's staff. Earlier, the International Doping Testing Agency (ITA) reported on Friday that Valieva’s doping test dated December 25, 2021 tested positive for trimetazidine. The test result was handed over by the anti-doping laboratory in Stockholm on February 8. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, Valieva, who is 15 years old, has the status of a «protected person». In cases involving such athletes, special attention is paid to the actions of their entourage. «We welcome the investigation of the athlete's entourage, both in this and in other cases. WADA has sufficient authority in this, they have an investigation department. We will facilitate the investigation of actions not only the athlete, but also his entourage. There will be a very tough position in investigating the actions of the entourage,» Adams said at a press conference.