Sha'Carri on the differences between her and Russian skater: "The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady."

Essentially, CAS ruled that because Valieva’s age makes her a ‘protected person’ under the World Anti-Doping Code, she may be eligible for a lesser sanction – including one that does not involve a suspension – once her case is heard in full at a later date.

...
CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said: “While these rules have specific provisions for evidence of a different standard of evidence and for lower sanctions in case of protected persons, the panel was therefore concerned that if a permanent suspension would be imposed on the athlete and later – at the end of the day, after the completion of all procedures – she would not be sanctioned or would have a very low sanction, the provisional suspensions would have caused serious damage.”

In a statement, CAS said it had decided Valieva should be allowed to compete due to "exceptional circumstances," including specific provisions linked to her status as a "protected person" under the WADA code, because she is a minor.

casual obsever wrote:

It's not just the Guardian. Cas really seems to see a special case here because of the age. See for example

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/cas-rules-russian-figure-skater-072505493.html

Essentially, CAS ruled that because Valieva’s age makes her a ‘protected person’ under the World Anti-Doping Code, she may be eligible for a lesser sanction – including one that does not involve a suspension – once her case is heard in full at a later date.

...
CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said: “While these rules have specific provisions for evidence of a different standard of evidence and for lower sanctions in case of protected persons, the panel was therefore concerned that if a permanent suspension would be imposed on the athlete and later – at the end of the day, after the completion of all procedures – she would not be sanctioned or would have a very low sanction, the provisional suspensions would have caused serious damage.”

and

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/sport/usada-kamila-valieva-hijacked-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

In a statement, CAS said it had decided Valieva should be allowed to compete due to "exceptional circumstances," including specific provisions linked to her status as a "protected person" under the WADA code, because she is a minor.

In any case, don't get me wrong, I do think she shouldn't be allowed to start. I just don't think Cas decided that because of her skin color, as strongly implied by Richardson.

casual obsever wrote:

NYDCRunner1 wrote:

There is nothing in the code that says you get an exception for being a minor.

WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE 2021

10.3.1:

For violations of Article 2.3 or 2.5, the period of Ineligibility shall be four years except: (i) in the case of failing to submit to Sample collection, if the Athlete can establish that the commission of the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional, the period of Ineligibility shall be two years; (ii) in all other cases, if the Athlete or other Person can establish exceptional circumstances that justify a reduction of the period of Ineligibility, the period of Ineligibility shall be in a range from two years to four years depending on the Athlete or other Person’s degree of Fault; or (iii) in a case involving a Protected Person or Recreational Athlete, the period of Ineligibility shall be in a range between a maximum of two years and, at a minimum, a reprimand and no period of Ineligibility, depending on the Protected Person or Recreational Athlete’s degree of Fault.

...

Appendix 1 Definitions

Protected Person: An Athlete or other natural Person who at the time of the anti-doping rule violation: (i) has not reached the age of sixteen years; (ii) has not reached the age of eighteen years and is not included in any Registered Testing Pool and has never competed in any International Event in an open category; or (iii) for reasons other than age has been determined to lack legal capacity under applicable national legislation.127

labenthaub wrote:

Dear Sha'Carri,

Hate to burst your bubble as much as you want this to be this is not at all about race

1- You broke the rules and should have served a suspension which you did

2- When caught you admitted what you did and choose to accept any penalty with pretty much no fight

3- You were banned by USADA not WADA

4 - USATF did not support you to fight

5 - Your advisors failed you in not fighting

6- You could have asked for a hearing which maybe you would have won and could have then taken part in the Olympics you decided not to

The Russian skater

1- If she broke the rules she should be banned

2- Her Federation went to bat for her

3- She (or the Federation) decided to ask for a hearing

4- As a result of her appeal she has been able to compete

5- Even if she wins a medal there is a chance (if she loses her appeal) she will have the medal taken away