Valieva tested positive for the banned heart disease drug trimetazidine in December 2021.
She became a global star as the first female skater to successfully complete a quadruple jump at the Winter Olympics.
Russia won the gold medal in the team figure skating competition on February 7, 2022, but four days later it was announced that Valieva had failed a pre-competition drug test.
The samples were taken on December 25th at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in St. Petersburg.
Valieva received a provisional suspension, but it was lifted by a court and she was allowed to compete in the women's singles. However, her performance included many falls and stumbles on her part, and she came off the ice in tears.
An investigation into Lusada later found intentional doping, but Wada appealed that finding to Kas, the highest court in sports.
Wada and the International Skating Union (ISU) said they were “concerned” by the decision and called for a four-year suspension and the expungement of all results from the December 25, 2021 sample collection date.
The ISU also asked Kass to decide the final outcome of the team gold medal event in Beijing. Kass said he has other responsibilities going forward, but the U.S. is expected to win the gold medal, Japan will take silver and Canada will take bronze after finishing fourth two years ago.
The ISU subsequently increased the minimum age for competitors in senior events from 15 to 17 to protect the “physical, mental health and spiritual well-being” of skaters.
