How Kamila Valieva's Beijing Olympics 2022 doping controversy erupted

Russian teenager cleared to continue to compete at the Winter Olympics despite testing positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine

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  Figure skater Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee in action during a practice session at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 14 February 2022. EPA

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  Kamila Valieva, 15, who failed a pre-games drug test has been cleared to continue competing in the Women’s Single skating event in a ruling by a panel of arbitrators appointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 14 February, 2022. EPA

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  Kamila Valieva speaks to her coach Eteri Tutberidze during a practice session at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. EPA

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  An ad-hoc committee set up by the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined not to uphold the provisional suspension, citing “exceptional circumstances”. EPA

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  Figure skater Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee takes a fall during a practice session. EPA

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  Essentially, CAS ruled that because Kamila Valieva’s age makes her a ‘protected person’ under the World Anti-Doping Code. EPA

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  Kamila Valieva, 15, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts after the women's team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, February 7, 2022, in Beijing. AP

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  Kamila Valieva attends a training session on February 11, 2022 prior the Figure Skating Event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. AFP

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  Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee during training. Reuters

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  Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts in the women's team free skate program. AP

Russian teenage figure skating sensation Kamila Valieva was on Monday cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to continue competing in the Beijing Olympics despite failing a doping test.

This is how the controversy surrounding the 15-year-old unfolded:

December 25, 2021: Valieva has a sample collected while competing at the Russian Championships in Saint Petersburg. It is sent for testing to a laboratory in Stockholm accredited by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). It detects the presence of trimetazidine, a metabolic agent used for the treatment of angina but banned by WADA because it can increase blood flow efficiency and help endurance.

February 7, 2022: Valieva becomes the first woman to land a quadruple jump in Olympic competition and in the process leads the Russians to gold in the figure skating team event at the Beijing Olympics.

February 8: The medals ceremony for the team competition fails to take place - the first sign that something is amiss. Laboratory reports to a positive test to Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA.

February 9: Behind closed doors, RUSADA suspends Valieva. She appeals and later the same day the suspension is lifted, allowing her to carry on competing. International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams cites a "legal consultation" for the medals ceremony failing to take place. Reports emerge that Valieva has tested positive for a banned substance but there is no official confirmation.

The ‘Inside The Games’ website names Valieva as the figure skater at the centre of a doping probe which is delaying the awarding of medals.

February 11: Valieva practises on the rink in Beijing even as speculation swirls. The International Testing Agency, who carry out test for the Olympics, confirms the reports that she failed a test for trimetazidine. The IOC appeals against RUSADA's move to lift the suspension on Valieva.

February 12: CAS says it will hold a hearing on February 13 and deliver its verdict the day after that. Valieva makes an appeal by video-link.

February 14: CAS clears Valieva to carry on competing in Beijing, citing "exceptional circumstances" including her young age. It says suspending her would have caused her "irreparable harm in these circumstances." She is not cleared of doping though and could face sanctions at a later date.

February 15: Valieva is cleared to take part in the women's singles competition and is favourite for gold. Russia could win all three medals thanks to Valieva's teammates Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova, both 17.