Russian skater and doping. She took the heart medicine trimetazidine. Arguably the best ice skater on the planet, the 15-year-old Russian Olympian Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance, trimetazidine. Why take the risk?
Valieva led the Russian Olympic Committee to a gold medal at the recent Winter Olympics. Today, the International Olympic Committee said that “the situation is inconclusive and that it would not be appropriate to hold a medal ceremony for the figure skating event.”
No awards? What about Nathan Chen (shout out to Yale) and the other members of the second-place American team? Go home without knowing if they won silver or gold? And Japan and Canada? They would move up to silver and bronze, respectively.
When the failed drug test results became available last week, officials immediately suspended Valieva from the winter Olympic games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reversed the decision today and said Valieva could compete in Tuesday’s singles figure skating event.
Sarah Hirshland, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, is not pleased, offering this on Twitter: “Having a fair and effective international anti-doping program is vital to ensuring the rights of clean athletes and the integrity of competition are upheld.”
Former Olympic skater Tara Lipinsky agrees: “I strongly disagree with this decision. Clean sport is the only thing that matters at an Olympic Games.”
Performance-enhancing drug? Trimetazidine.
Valieva tested positive for the banned drug on 25 December 2021 at the Russian nationals. Unfortunately, the results from a Swedish laboratory did not come to light until a week ago, after the Russian Olympic Committee won team gold.
Having watched her skate, I was not surprised to hear television commentators offer that she may be the most talented skater ever. So why would the Russians give her heart medicine? What advantage is gained? Why trimetazidine?
Trimetazidine is not available in the United States. It is available in Europe to treat chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, a condition known as angina.
The agency explains that trimetazidine can also help with vertigo (a spinning sensation) and tinnitus (a ringing sensation in the ears). The medicine can treat reduced vision and visual field disturbances due to blood vessel problems.
According to the European Medicines Agency, trimetazidine is a “metabolic agent,” which means it’s a medication that affects metabolism. It changes how substances break down in the body. It can also protect against a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle.
Why is the drug banned from competitors? If the heart receives more oxygen, theoretically, you may be able to train longer and harder. It improves exercise time, at least in patients with cardiac issues.
It is not clear if the drug helps folks who do not have a cardiac issue, according to Rigved Tadwalkar, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica (USA).
Still, Dr. Tadwalkar explains, “there is some thinking that it can increase stamina for athletes, and there is a concern that this may create an unfair advantage.”
Did you see Kamila Valieva’s mesmerizing performance? And how would you have handled her banned drug finding?
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
