Heart drug trimetazidine at center of Olympics controversy surrounding figure skater Kamila Valieva
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva failed a drug test just weeks before the start of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the International Testing Agency (ITA) has confirmed in a new statement. The substance she tested positive for, it turns out, was trimetazidine, a common heart medication.
As one might expect, this bombshell has left many in the general public to ask: What is trimetazidine?
Trimetazidine is typically prescribed for treating angina. It is associated with increasing blood flow and improving endurance, which are the primary reasons it is currently banned from Olympic competition. The drug may also offer key benefits for patients with diabetes and left ventricular dysfunction, or anyone scheduled to undergo a cardiac revascularization procedure, according to a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Cardiology.[1]
Before this news about Valieva started making headlines, the 15-year-old phenom was viewed by many as a favorite to take home multiple medals during the Beijing Olympics. She already helped lead the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to gold in the team figure skating event and has been one the event’s biggest breakout stars. But this failed test from December 2021 means the ROC’s victory could potentially be removed from the record books. This would result in the United States, which took home silver in the team figure skating event, being awarded the gold.
When word of the positive test broke on Feb. 8, the ITA explained in its statement, Valieva was suspended. After a hearing on the very next day, however, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) lifted its suspension, meaning Valieva could return to skating. The International Olympic Committee is now appealing RUSADA’s decision to lift that suspension, so the controversy is far from over.
Once a final decision has been made on this matter, the ITA added, officials will then determine what to do about the team figure skating results.
“Given that the legal process for this case is not finally concluded, the ITA will not provide any additional comments,” the ITA said. “Any further information on the case will be issued in form of a public statement.”
The ROC issued a statement of its own, noting that Valieva has passed multiple drug tests in the weeks since testing positive for trimetazidine.
“The ROC is taking comprehensive measures to protect the rights and interests of the ROC Team members and to keep the Olympic gold medal won in fair competition,” according to the group’s statement. “The ROC also assumes that a full investigation will be conducted to determine all the relevant legal and factual circumstances of what happened.”
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Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.