Beijing Olympics: Doping of children “evil and unforgivable,” says WADA chief

The president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is putting pressure on Russian authorities to change the doping culture in the country after teen figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance.

Speaking on Monday, Witold Banka said the doping of children is “evil and unforgivable” and suggested adults who provide performance enhancing drugs to minors should be banned from sports events like the Olympics for life and even sent to prison.

Banka said he was disappointed in a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after it cleared Valieva to compete in her next event at the Beijing Olympics. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has also scheduled a hearing to decide her fate.

Part of the reasoning behind the CAS decision is that Valieva is a minor and banning her from further competition would have caused her “irreparable harm.”

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[mrs.natashaellwood]

Her coach has done this many times before to many skaters. The entire skating community has been talking about it for years. We all knew she was drugged up before she was even tested

[fredpennerfringe]

Is anyone shocked by this? Where there is a prize there will be cheaters.

[mjamitche]

He said that WADA does not have specific rules just for minors. He is the representative of WADA, so the public is being lied to by the CAS representative. If the problem is with CAS, then they need to get rid of CAS and get a group of judges who are willing to enforce the rules. It looks to me like Russia has purchased CAS lock, stock and barrel.

[michellesantos]

if minors are protected from the rules, they should not compete. Rules must apply to all for the sake of fairness. Kids should not be allowed in adult competitions.

[NotFollowTheRabbit]

The probe has been taken in December 2021. If it is positive, why Camila has been a allowed to participate? If testing system doesn’t work, how fair any results?

[RNi-wvov]

What the CAS has done is created two classes of athletes, those over 16 years old who have to comply with the rules and those under 16 for whom compliance is optional. If athletes are not old enough to play by the rules, they are not old enough to compete in the olympics.

I don’t think Kamila Valieva had a choice. The only way this abuse will stop, is to ban her coaches and entourage from the olympics and international competition for life. They should be put on a plane back to Russia, immediately.

[LWr]

This has gone far enough. Coach Eteri must be stopped

[bonsang]

world class athletes going around with asthma pumps...

[mandoist]

The IOC and its inferior 'business as usual' track record is the main reason I stopped watching Olympics many years ago.
I had been an avid follower since 1962. But it's just not fun anymore.
If I was an athlete waiting to compete at this point... as hard as it would be to do so... I'm sure I would walk away.
BTW: Since the men of the IOC have no balls, perhaps it's time to put Women in charge.

[olgamorgan]

I have a question, how do we know that Wada is not corrupt? She did the tests before and after, all came clean, why this test taken in December had micro dose?

[BCNeil]

Maybe next year change their name again. That will work. Calling them ROC instead of Russia made a HUGE difference../end sarcasm.

[Sunny-yyfr]

ISU's corruption has been a long history

[virtualworlddisorderrealit]

just turn it off, and go outside and play your own games! This is never going to change...unless you turn it off... something "THEY" don't like.

[efthimistsiadimos]

REALY AMERICANS ARE NOT SUPERMAN HA HA... KAMILA IS MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN SECOND WITH OR NOT THIS.... GOD BLESS HER... REALY LOVE FROM GREECE WHERE STARTING OLYMPIC GAMES

[toppatop]

Evil and unforgivable? Only when it comes to big money sports I guess. Ironic.

[hootenholler]

If people agree this is evil and unforgivable, why don’t they when it comes to transing children with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones?

[mayval]

She is a excellent skater. That result from the institution anti-doping is lying.

[denyspetika]

Why she is participating? She felt in final and Gold? Because russia corrupt or Great Britain? Name Camila… Its interest not of Great Britain

[erichoughton]

Didn’t that 15 yr old have angina medication in her system? Why is this guy dragging her through the mud its not steroids..

[purpleprose]

If these children are healthy and happy you have no base or proof for your argument and just being dramatic.
Do you want to break these kids hearts and kick them out if the Olympics? What good would that be for these kids well being?