Competing in worldwide sports events is both stressful and intense as the pressure to perform well runs rampant. At the age of 15, the pride of bagging a medal is an honor. But, is this achievement worth the sacrifice of your good name?
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was the rising star during the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. Valieva became the first-ever woman to land a quadruple jump and propelled the Russian team to win gold in the team event. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there after she tested positive for an illegal substance known as Trimetazidine (TMZ).
Russia currently ranks number one for the most athlete doping violations in the Olympics. In fact, Russia has had 46 medals revoked for this very reason. This has raised suspicions and prompted allegations against coaches to be behind all these violations, including Valieva’s coach. Many pointed out how a young athlete could have taken these drugs without the influence or knowledge of her coach. Although there’s no direct evidence to implicate her coaching team, the opposite is even harder to believe. How could a coach not possibly know that her athlete isn’t under the influence of drugs?
A 15-year-old wouldn’t take medications without instruction from a parent or someone in authority. She also could not have secured the narcotics without assistance from adults. It’s also quite likely that this isn’t the first time she’s taken these drugs. Who is her supplier? How does she acquire these drugs? The main spotlight is on Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze. She’s the most influential and most responsible for Valieva’s well-being, apart from her parents.
When news of her doping broke out, it shocked and angered both fans and competitors alike. However, despite the scandal, she was granted eligibility to compete in the women’s single event. The justification for this decision was her status as a minor. It was considered to be an “exemptional circumstance.” The ruling would’ve been different if she was older.
Valieva appeared fatigued after a long week of strong criticism and public scrutiny. Her next performance was disappointing, landing her just outside the podium. Valieva fell out of medal contention, leading her teammate, Anna Shcherbakova, to take home gold.
Olympic skater or not, she’s still a teenager. This doping scandal put Valieva’s name in history alongside those who were caught doping. Even though she’s a victim of drug abuse, a medal with a scandal is not considered a victory. Yet, no matter who you point the finger at, in the end, it is the young star who pays the hefty price.
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