Russia's appeal over losing Olympic gold dismissed

Russia's Kamila Valieva was aged 15 when she tested positive for banned heart medication trimetazidine in December 2021

Russia's appeal against the reallocation of the 2022 Olympic team figure skating medals has been dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

The International Skating Union (ISU) dropped Russia from gold to the bronze medal after Kamila Valieva, now 18, received a four-year ban for doping.

Valieva was a member of Russia's winning team in Beijing.

Russia had appealed against the decision, which saw the United States promoted to gold with Japan taking silver, but Cas said the decision to disqualify Valieva stands.

"Following the hearing that took place on 12 June 2024, the panel deliberated and concluded that the results of Ms Valieva in the Olympic figure skating team event were correctly disqualified," said Cas in a statement.

"Consequently, the above-mentioned appeals are dismissed."

In response, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said it was "extremely disappointed" and was considering further action to "defend the rights and interests of Russian athletes".

"We harboured no illusions over this matter as has been the case in similar cases and appeals launched by the Russian side over nearly three years," the ROC statement said.

Canada, meanwhile, have also lodged an appeal as they believe they should have been awarded bronze following Valieva's disqualification.

Cas said a decision on that is yet to be made.