MOSCOW, Oct 22, Oleg Bogatov.The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) must either convince the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of the legitimacy of classifying information about the progress of the investigation into the case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, or negotiate the amount of information that can be disclosed taking into account the interests of the athlete, sports lawyer Anna Antseliovich said. Earlier, RUSADA stated on its Telegram channel that it did not intend to publish the date of the hearing, the decision or other details on the Valieva case. It is known that the investigation has ended, the case should be considered by the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee (DAK). Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time of her positive doping test, is a protected person according to WADA rules. WADA announced on Saturday that it would call on RUSADA to make public the relevant amount of information on the figure skater's case. Valieva, as part of the Russian national team, became the winner of the 2022 Olympics team tournament. Immediately after that, it became known that the doping test of the figure skater on December 25, 2021 gave a positive result for trimetazidine. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed Valieva to participate in the individual tournament at the Games, where she took fourth place. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has postponed the awards ceremony for the medalists of the team tournament until the end of the investigation into Valieva's case. «Both WADA and RUSADA agree that this situation requires discussion of the entire confidentiality regime,» Anceliovich said. «But they have different approaches, because the violation happened earlier. And both the name of the athlete and the substance got into the public field in violation of this principle. Moreover, CAS made a decision that was not confidential and was openly posted on the CAS website. Therefore, RUSADA believes that it is necessary to strictly adhere to this rule in in accordance with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code. And to completely classify these results. And WADA believes that since there has already been a violation, it is necessary to find a balance and publish some details of the investigation.» the expert stressed. — RUSADA now cannot but answer WADA, since the agency is a regulator in this area. In addition, RUSADA is now actively trying to restore its compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. They have two options: either explain to WADA why they are taking this position and convince them that complete secrecy is required. Maybe they do have an explanation that will satisfy WADA. Or enter into negotiations in an attempt to find the amount of information that will be published. Taking into account the interests of the athlete.»
