<figure id="attachment_230084" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1014px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-230084"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="e6b9b441"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2022/02/2022021515663.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-230084" class="wp-caption-text">Waliyeva came in first in the short program under heavy pressure (Image: Kyodo News)</figcaption></figure>
 It&#8217;s going to be a result no one will be happy with.
 In the short program on February 15, she placed first with 82.16 points. However, even if she finishes in the top three in the free program on February 17, the medal ceremony will not be held during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
 She was suspected of doping after the start of the Beijing Olympics, and has been provisionally suspended. However, the samples were taken at the Russian Championships last December. The final decision rests with the Russian anti-doping agency. That&#8217;s why RUSADA (Russian Anti-Doping Agency), which received an objection from the Russian Olympic Committee, lifted Walieva&#8217;s punishment.
 The IOC (International Olympic Committee) and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) appealed this decision to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), but it was denied. The IOC and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) appealed to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), but the decision was denied, citing reasons such as the fact that Warieva is under 16 years old and is subject to protection.
 The inexplicable decision was fiercely opposed by people involved in the Olympics around the world.
 Kim Yona of South Korea, the figure gold medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, said, &#8220;The principle that doping violators cannot compete should be strictly adhered to. The efforts of other athletes will not be rewarded,&#8221; she raged. Travis Tygart of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency criticized Russia for &#8220;hijacking the Olympics and depriving the world&#8217;s athletes of a valuable opportunity.
<h2>I&#8217;m mentally exhausted.</h2>
 Waliyeva herself is having a tough time. After the aforementioned women&#8217;s singles practice and short program, she refused to be interviewed by the press. In an interview with a Russian TV station, she revealed her painful feelings.
 The last few days have been emotionally difficult for me. I am mentally exhausted. All I have now is a wave of joy and a little bit of sadness.
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
 Waliwa will continue to be in the eye of the needle, as she could face prolonged and repeated testing if WADA appeals the decision to the CAS.
 The urine sample will be collected by an examiner of the same sex. You have to urinate in front of them, because they might mistake your urine for someone else&#8217;s. The clothes must be pulled up to the top of the chest, and the underwear must be pulled down to the knees. It&#8217;s a humiliating test for athletes.
 In Russia, the use of doping by the entire organization was discovered in 2002, and the CAS recognized the irregularities in 2008, and banned all athletes except those with no previous violations from participating in international competitions until the end of 2010. Even if Waliyeva&#8217;s case is still &#8220;gray,&#8221; why, in general, do Russian athletes risk so much to engage in doping?
 It&#8217;s because medalists are treated well in Russia. If you win a gold medal, you get a reward of about 6 million yen, 3.75 million yen for silver, and 2.55 million yen for bronze. In addition, domestic travel by air is free of charge, and they even receive a luxury car and a mansion. You can live an easy life for the rest of your life.
 It is said that a certain famous female athlete comes to mind with the admiration of those involved in the Russian Olympics. Nakamura Itsuro, a professor at Tsukuba University and an expert on the situation in Russia, said.
 After retiring from the Olympics, she went on to win the gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2004 Athens Olympics. After her retirement, she was favored by President Putin and became a member of the Russian parliament. She also became the chairman of the National Media Group, the largest media company in the country, and took control of the media.
 There are other athletes who have gained power by winning medals. For example, Tatyana Navka, 46, the current wife of the president&#8217;s press secretary, won a gold medal in ice dancing at the 2006 Torino Olympics. She is also a supporter of Alina Zagitova (19), a figure skater who has practically retired and is very popular at home and abroad.
 For Russian athletes, winning a medal brings more than just financial benefits. It gives them the privilege of entering politics. If you are recognized by President Putin, you can get all kinds of concessions. It&#8217;s possible to run the country.
 It&#8217;s not that Kabaeva doped, it&#8217;s that there are athletes who want to be like Kabaeva, even if they dope. For Russian athletes, a medal is not only the highest honor in sports. For Russian athletes, a medal is not only the highest honor in sports, but also a passport to power that they would do anything to obtain.

 Kyodo News Agency

 The doping scandal in Russia is likely to continue in the future. Why do Russian athletes risk their lives to take drugs? The shadow cast by the presence of a famous female medalist.

“Mentally Tired” Valieva’s Reaction on Doping Issue at Beijing Olympics

Access Ranking