Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has returned to the ice for the women’s singles event – after she was cleared to compete despite revelations the 15-year-old failed a drugs test.
She took part in the qualification stage of the Women Single Skating event on Tuesday.
The top 24 skaters – or 25 if Valieva is among them – qualify to the Free Skating event which will conclude on Thursday.
Valieva was cleared to compete on Monday despite failing a test for a banned substance – a decision that was contested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but overruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A sample from the 15-year-old was taken on Christmas Day – and on 8 February, it returned positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication.
An investigation led by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency is under way, which will determine whether Valieva can receive the gold she won in the team event more than a week ago – and any further awards she picks up.
The World Anti-Doping Agency will be able to appeal any decision made.
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already decided there will be no medal or flower ceremony if she finishes in the top three of the final competition of the singles event “in the interest of fairness”.
Once the doping case has been concluded, the awards will be presented retrospectively.