Lawyers for Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva said the 15-year-old’s positive test stemmed from contamination from medication her grandfather was taking.
Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance typically used to treat heart patients, on Dec. 25 during the Russian Figure Skating Championships. The positive result, however, wasn’t reported until Feb. 8, after the Winter Games had begun.
IOC member Denis Oswald told reporters Tuesday, “Her argument was contamination which happened with a product her grandfather was taking,” of Valieva’s hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Sunday.
The CAS ruled Monday that Valieva was cleared to compete in the Beijing Olympics despite her positive test, embroiling the Winter Games in controversy.
Any medals Valieva earns, however, will not be honored with a ceremony, as litigation of the case will continue long after the games, with the potential for the teen to be stripped of her medals.
Valieva leads the women’s individual figure skating event after Tuesday’s short program, posting a score of 82.16.