BEIJING (February 14, 2022) – The Canadian Olympic Committee and Skate Canada issued the following statement in response to the CAS decision to dismiss the request for a provisional suspension:

“The situation that has unfolded with respect to the Russian figure skating athlete’s doping case is extremely unfortunate and sad for the athletes. The COC is fully committed to clean sport and we firmly believe that no one involved in doping or other corrupt practices has a place in the Olympic Movement. 

“We appreciate that the IOC/ITA, WADA and the ISU each appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) ad hoc division at the Beijing 2022 Games to request that the provisional suspension of the Russian athlete, which was lifted by RUSADA only a day after it was initially imposed, be reinstated. 

“While the COC was not permitted to be formally involved in the CAS appeal process, we have been following the details of the case closely and doing what we can to ensure the protection of the interests of Canadian figure skating athletes and all clean athletes. While we trust that the CAS decision was the result of a fair process, we are extremely disappointed with this result.”

–  Tricia Smith, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Caroline Sharp
Figure Skating Media Attaché
Team Canada
C: +852-6726-4438
E: csharp@olympic.ca 

Josh Su
Beijing 2022 Press Operations Lead
Team Canada
C: +852-6726-3967
E: jsu@olympic.ca

Thomas Hall
Communications Lead & Press Secretary
Team Canada
C: +852-6726-3962
E: thall@olympic.ca