Kamila Valieva, the Russian figure skater known for her controversial participation in the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, is making a notable return to the ice as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. At just 19 years old, Valieva is back competing in figure skating after completing a four-year ban stemming from a positive drug test prior to the Beijing Games.
Valieva initially faced backlash for testing positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication, which raised questions about her eligibility to compete. This situation escalated during the Olympics, where she had already contributed to her team’s gold medal before the doping scandal led to its disqualification. Despite finishing fourth in the women’s singles event amid intense scrutiny, Valieva claimed she had taken the substance inadvertently, leading to complex legal battles over her ban.
Recently, Valieva participated in the quarterfinals of the Russian jumping championships held in Moscow, where she impressively landed a quadruple toe loop jump. She progressed to the semifinals and also placed sixth in a duets jump event, showcasing her talent in a non-traditional competition format that focused solely on jump performances.
In a significant shift from her past, Valieva has parted ways with her former coach Eteri Tutberidze and is now affiliated with the Navka skating academy in Moscow. Over the past two years, she has been involved in performances with the academy’s ice shows and has engaged in various charitable initiatives.
While her competitive future remains uncertain, particularly concerning the Milan Cortina Olympics, Russian athletes face restrictions due to geopolitical issues. Although Valieva’s ban technically lifts in December 2025, recent policies prevent Russian athletes from competing under their national flag, and proper neutral status requirements complicate individual participation.
At the same time, 18-year-old skater Adeliia Petrosian, coached by Tutberidze, will represent as an Individual Neutral Athlete at the Milan Cortina Games. The presence of both athletes illustrates ongoing changes and challenges in the figure skating world post-Valieva’s controversy, as the sport adapts to new regulations, including raising the minimum competitive age from 15 to 17.
The journey of both Valieva and Petrosian highlights the evolving landscape of figure skating, as they navigate the aftermath of recent controversies and look ahead to future competitions while emphasizing resilience and a commitment to their sport.