Russian figure skating trio Kamila Valieva, Anna Shterbakova and Alexandra Trusova will not be allowed to take part in this month’s World Championships in Montpellier, France.
The International Skating Union (ISU) announced on Tuesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from international competitions until further notice following the invasion of Ukraine. This is a consequence of bans by other international sports governing bodies in recent days on the advice of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Russian figure skaters have already faced strict control and international reaction since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Valieva, a 15-year-old sensation who has been in the adult circle for only a few months, tested positive for a banned heart drug on December 25 appeared after the team competition. Russia ranked first, the United States won silver, and Japan held bronze. These medals have not yet been awarded and may change after an investigation into Valieva’s drug test.
Valieva, the Olympic favorite, was allowed to compete after an appeal and entered the random skate in first place, but fell to fourth with uncharacteristic falls of the last skate of the evening. The 17-year-old Shcherbakova won gold instead, and Trusova placed second in one of the most unpleasant moments for medals in recent Olympic memory. The program is now under investigation with doping issues – which have already been found by Russia to have ruled the Sochi Games – and pressure and lack of tact on the part of coaches.
The ISU Board covers figure skating, speed skating and short track. A statement said it would continue to monitor the situation “and its impact on ISU’s activities and take further steps if and when necessary”. Russia’s Alexander Lakernik is vice president and told the New York Times he could not comment on the ban because of his position on the board.
Russia is extremely proud of its figure skating skills and the country is a constant contender for medals, often sweeping the podium. Five of the 12 figure skating medals awarded in Beijing went to the Russians. The ban also applies to three sets of Russian skating teams that have participated in their individual disciplines. The duo of ice dancing Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov won silver. In doubles, Evgenia Taraova and Vladimir Morozov won silver, and Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Galyamov won bronze.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin on March 21. Olympic medalists often miss the event because it is so close to the Games. But after the drama around the Olympics, the event was marked on calendars to see if Valieva would compete and return to the top of the podium with an investigation that still covers everything.
