From Russia With Love [#40]: Summer 2021 & into the Olympic season

[Judy]

Kamila is so far ahead of everyone else this season... she was making the Olympic team. She was winning the Euros. And she was likely wining the OGM. Why give her something when she was having a fantastic year anyway? And how would it help her? As a skating mom, I am at a loss here.

That’s what performance enhancing drugs do though. This likely didn’t just start. Who knows how long she has been on it.

 

[MarieM]

LOL, this thread. I guess no one here remembers Lance Armstrong: “Never a failed test”

Lance Armstrong: '20+ Year Career ... Never A Failed Test ... I Rest My Case'

The cycling legend has used the Web, and in particular his Twitter page, to hit back hard against the latest allegation that he used a performance-enhancing drug when he was competing. And he's raised questions about his accuser's credibility.

www.npr.org

I do. I used to call him the doping king of cycling and my friends would say I had no proofs. Right. But history proved me right. And there were hints here and there.
Russian doping in figure skating has been talked about in all figure skating circles for decades. Not years. Decades.

 

[Amantide]

Let's wait and see though. Personally I'm in denial, re Stolbova.

The rest I'll take day by day.

Ditto, re-Valieva.

But, do you mean if you were invited in their wedding you wouldn't go? Because I totally would.

 

[acraven]

Some of the ITA document is a bit difficult to read, but this is a fact:

- The Swedish lab didn't report the positive result to RUSADA until Feb. 8.

These are my interpretations:

- The B sample hasn't been tested yet.

- The ITA doesn't want Valieva to compete in the individual event. (It is appealing RUSADA's decision to lift the temporary suspension to CAS.) It hopes/expects to have a CAS ruling before the women's event begins on Tuesday night.

- It's really unlikely the team-event medals will be awarded during the Olympics, because there are more procedures to follow before Valieva's ultimate status is determined. (This also applies to whether she gets to keep any individual medal she wins, if CAS doesn't overturn the lifting of the temporary suspension and Valieva is allowed to compete.)

 

[hanca]

I will say, he is really charming. Nice guy vibe, calm, funny, seems very kind, etc. But at his age, and with his ummmm romantic history, how does NM get these young, beautiful and successful women to fall for him??? One of the greatest mysteries of the universe.

Feromones. He must be releasing them around himself and the female have no chance to escape - they are attracted like magnets.

 

[aka_gerbil]

Feromones. He must be releasing them around himself and the female have no chance to escape - they are attracted like magnets.

Some friends and I walked past him on a concourse at a competition once. We would all say anti-pheromones and we all wanted to douse ourselves in Lysol.

 

[Xela M]

If Liza hasn't been asked to come to Beijing now, I doubt she will have time to come before the ladies event should Kamila not be allowed to compete. Really wish they would get her there just in case

 

[Ka3sha]

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deleted

 

[MarieM]

Feromones. He must be releasing them around himself and the female have no chance to escape - they are attracted like magnets.

Oh my. It must be so true lol.
Isn't there an animal on the planet who does that anyway? He must have some of its DNA.

 

[Amantide]

Some of the ITA document is a bit difficult to read, but this is a fact:

- The Swedish lab didn't report the positive result to RUSADA until Feb. 8.

These are my interpretations:

- The B sample hasn't been tested yet.

• The ITA doesn't want Valieva to compete in the individual event. (It is appealing RUSADA's decision to lift the temporary suspension to CAS.) It hopes/expects to have a CAS ruling before the women's event begins on Tuesday night.
• It's really unlikely the team-event medals will be awarded during the Olympics, because there are more procedures to follow before Valieva's ultimate status is determined. (This also applies to whether she gets to keep any individual medal she wins, if CAS doesn't overturn the lifting of the temporary suspension and Valieva is allowed to compete.)

That's how I understood the statement too.

There are some things which are not clear to me because I'm really not familiar with the procedure and what it actually means. So, my questions are:

- How important is the B sample and how long it takes? I was under the impression that it is done automatically after you have a positive result with the A sample. Evidently that's not the case.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Skating Union (ISU), RUSADA and the IOC have a right to appeal the decision to lift the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

I'm a bit confused with the wording here. RUSADA having the right to appeal to a decision they took? But my question is, why is IOC appealing, only, and not also WADA and ISU?
Is it because since these are the OG, IOC wants to go for "better safe than sorry" approach, therefore better prevent her from competing rather than having to then take away an eventual medal from her, in case the violation is definitive, after the B sample results?

I hope I'm clear in what I'm asking.

 

[Bigbird]

Ditto, re-Valieva.

But, do you mean if you were invited in their wedding you wouldn't go? Because I totally would.

LOL.

 

[hanca]

Some friends and I walked past him on a concourse at a competition once. We would all say anti-pheromones and we all wanted to douse ourselves in Lysol.

The animals that release feromones are also able to release alarm substances, to alert others to a threat, and substances which mark territory. Maybe Morozov saw you and accidentally released ‘the wrong stuff’? (Or maybe he saw you, felt in danger and therefore he was releasing his substances warning of danger?)

 

[hanca]

Oh my. It must be so true lol.
Isn't there an animal on the planet who does that anyway? He must have some of its DNA.

Insects do it. I don’t know know how much insect DNA he may have.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Insects do it. I don’t know know how much insect DNA he may have.

What about lizards or snakes?

 

[hanca]

What about lizards or snakes?

Internet says that they do! Wow, mystery solved!

 

[Xela M]

I'm clearly so behind on the gossip, but wasn't he recently happily married to the teenage Davankova Trouble in paradise?

Isn't Stolbova too old for His Creepiness?

 

[Amantide]

I'm clearly so behind on the gossip, but wasn't he recently happily married to the teenage Davankova Trouble in paradise?

Isn't Stolbova too old for His Creepiness?

And I thought I was behind.
I heard she had something with Morozov while she was skating with Andrei. I just didn't thought it was serious or that it was short lived. On the other hand, I think I've missed Davankova.

 

[Amy L]

I'm clearly so behind on the gossip, but wasn't he recently happily married to the teenage Davankova Trouble in paradise?

Isn't Stolbova too old for His Creepiness?

They've been divorced for about 3 years already.

Sure, Nikolai probably prefers them young but he's ultimately not picky. When he and Grushina had an affair she was definitely not a teenager!

 

[skatingguy]

That's how I understood the statement too.

There are some things which are not clear to me because I'm really not familiar with the procedure and what it actually means. So, my questions are:

- How important is the B sample and how long it takes? I was under the impression that it is done automatically after you have a positive result with the A sample. Evidently that's not the case.

The B sample is tested when the athlete in question requests the test - I don't know how often it happens that an athlete would just accept the results of the A sample & admit to doping. We don't know how long it will take, but given the very high profile of this case I would think that test is being done as quickly as is technologically possible.

I'm a bit confused with the wording here. RUSADA having the right to appeal to a decision they took? But my question is, why is IOC appealing, only, and not also WADA and ISU?
Is it because since these are the OG, IOC wants to go for "better safe than sorry" approach, therefore better prevent her from competing rather than having to then take away an eventual medal from her, in case the violation is definitive, after the B sample results?

I hope I'm clear in what I'm asking.

RUSADA suspended Valieva when they got the test results, someone on her behalf (because she's 15) appealed, and RUSADA lifted the suspension. WADA, and the ISU are part of the appeal, but the IOC is the primary appellant, represented by the ITA, because they want the suspension reinstated because the Olympics are currently ongoing, and yes, they don't want her to compete and then have to change results later. The IOC has taken a lot of steps over the past several Olympic cycles to speed up the process of doping suspensions during the Games, when people are paying attention, to ensure the proper athletes get the medals they deserve rather than receiving them some time later.

I hope all of that is clear, and if not I will try to clarify.

 

[hanca]

I'm clearly so behind on the gossip, but wasn't he recently happily married to the teenage Davankova Trouble in paradise?

Isn't Stolbova too old for His Creepiness?

Keep up! He and Davankova are already happily divorced. That’s old news, a few years back. He has been with Stolbova for quite a while!

 

[hanca]

And I thought I was behind.
I heard she had something with Morozov while she was skating with Andrei. I just didn't thought it was serious or that it was short lived. On the other hand, I think I've missed Davankova.

Yes, Stolbova must be with Morozov for a few years now. Is it worth getting married at all? Considering that the relationship has lasted so long that the time of their splitting up must be approaching… (that’s a forecast based on his dating history in the past 10 years - none of his relationships lasted more than a few years.). And add to it the fact that Stolbova is getting older with every year (how inconsiderate!) and is already in the age range he has not been targeting.

 

[Xela M]

And I thought I was behind.
I heard she had something with Morozov while she was skating with Andrei. I just didn't thought it was serious or that it was short lived. On the other hand, I think I've missed Davankova.

They've been divorced for about 3 years already.

Sure, Nikolai probably prefers them young but he's ultimately not picky. When he and Grushina had an affair she was definitely not a teenager!

Keep up! He and Davankova are already happily divorced. That’s old news, a few years back. He has been with Stolbova for quite a while!

Thank you all! Clearly I have been living under a rock Who could have predicted that Mr Morozov's marriage to an 18-year-old would be short-lived?!

He is clearly the Don Juan of the skating world

 

[Amantide]

The B sample is tested when the athlete in question requests the test - I don't know how often it happens that an athlete would just accept the results of the A sample & admit to doping. We don't know how long it will take, but given the very high profile of this case I would think that test is being done as quickly as is technologically possible.

RUSADA suspended Valieva when they got the test results, someone on her behalf (because she's 15) appealed, and RUSADA lifted the suspension. WADA, and the ISU are part of the appeal, but the IOC is the primary appellant, represented by the ITA, because they want the suspension reinstated because the Olympics are currently ongoing, and yes, they don't want her to compete and then have to change results later. The IOC has taken a lot of steps over the past several Olympic cycles to speed up the process of doping suspensions during the Games, when people are paying attention, to ensure the proper athletes get the medals they deserve rather than receiving them some time later.

I hope all of that is clear, and if not I will try to clarify.

Perfectly. Thank you.

Well, I really don't know what to think, so I'll just wait and see what happens, like anybody else. I'm willing to give her the benefit of doubt, since she's insisting on a double check (?) and they know what's at stake here. I truly hope, for her sake, that she is right and can clear her name. I think that's the most important thing. Competing and winning a medal is secondary at this point, IMO. Of course, it's easy for me to say from my couch. But if she knows she is right, clearing her name is far more important and beneficiary for her in the long run.

 

[Frau Muller]

If RUSADA suspended Valieva during Russian Nationals in late December, why was she even allowed to travel to Europeans, let alone the Olympics? Given the history, the Nationals appeal shouldn’t have resulted in an overturn…good grief, didn’t red lights go off? It’s not as if Russia didn’t have a deep well of women capable of winning Euros and Olympics, even without Valieva. Idiots!!!

Nationals results should change to:

GOLD - Trusova
SILVER - Scherbakova
BRONZE - Petrosian (age-ineligible, so Liza Tuk to Olys)

 

[skatingguy]

If RUSADA suspended Valieva during Russian Nationals in late December, why was she even allowed to travel to Europeans, let alone the Olympics? Given the history, the Nationals appeal shouldn’t have resulted in an overturn…good grief, didn’t red lights go off? It’s not as if Russia didn’t have a deep well of women capable of winning Euros and Olympics.

Nationals results should change to:

GOLD - Trusova
SILVER - Scherbakova
BRONZE - Petrosian

RUSADA didn't suspend Valieva in December - the sample was from Russian Nationals in December - RUSADA suspended her on Feb 8 when the positive test results was received from lab in Sweden.

 

[hanca]

If RUSADA suspended Valieva during Russian Nationals in late December, why was she even allowed to travel to Europeans, let alone the Olympics? Given the history, the Nationals appeal shouldn’t have resulted in an overturn…good grief, didn’t red lights go off? It’s not as if Russia didn’t have a deep well of women capable of winning Euros and Olympics.

Nationals results should change to:

GOLD - Trusova
SILVER - Scherbakova
BRONZE - Petrosian

Rusada couldn’t suspend Valieva during the nationals because they didn’t know the outcome of the test. The sample was taken during the nationals. The outcome came out only in February (I don’t remember the exact date, 8th or 9th?) and that’s when she has been suspended.

 

[Amantide]

Yes, Stolbova must be with Morozov for a few years now. Is it worth getting married at all? Considering that the relationship has lasted so long that the time of their splitting up must be approaching… (that’s a forecast based on his dating history in the past 10 years - none of his relationships lasted more than a few years.). And add to it the fact that Stolbova is getting older with every year (how inconsiderate!) and is already in the age range he has not been targeting.

Right. Marriage is like a death warning in these cases. lol
However, speaking of pheromones, I was reading this article before:

However, pheromones are also essential mediators of two aspects of the defining feature of social insects, the division of colony members into queens and workers. Only the queen (or a small number of queens) produces fertile eggs. First, a pheromone "tells" the workers not to reproduce. The signal is a queen pheromone, worn like a crown only by the queen in an ant or honeybee colony. It marks her and also seems to tell the workers that because she is fertile and laying eggs, the workers do not need to do so. With colonies of up to half a million individuals, pheromones are the only practical way for the queen to send a message to all the workers in the colony. In many species the workers’ ovaries do not develop if the workers detect the queen pheromone.

I'm imaging Stolbova like the Queen bee. And I hope her pheromone signal has a vaste range over the "colony".

 

[Frau Muller]

Rusada couldn’t suspend Valieva during the nationals because they didn’t know the outcome of the test. The sample was taken during the nationals. The outcome came out only in February (I don’t remember the exact date, 8th or 9th?) and that’s when she has been suspended.

No. An article states that internal (within Russia) results were known in the midst of Nationals, before the samples were sent to Sweden a bit later.

 

[Xela M]

Yes, Stolbova must be with Morozov for a few years now. Is it worth getting married at all? Considering that the relationship has lasted so long that the time of their splitting up must be approaching… (that’s a forecast based on his dating history in the past 10 years - none of his relationships lasted more than a few years.). And add to it the fact that Stolbova is getting older with every year (how inconsiderate!) and is already in the age range he has not been targeting.

Love this

 

[Amantide]

Speaking of Stolbova and skating though. I truly did like her with Andrei. It was just the beginning and didn't last, but I saw a lot of potential. What happened? Why did she retired?

I still don't know because the announcement came in early 2020 and that was the time I disconnected from FS. And world in general, later with the lockdown, so I didn't follow any news.