Olympics Becomes Breeding Ground For Controversy As Russian Figure Skater Drama Unfolds Differently From American Sprinter

The most controversial part of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics continues to drum up more controversy and now calls of double-standard hypocrisy. The 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs back in December, was originally ineligible to participate in any Olympic programs as part of a suspension from testing positive. However, after it was successfully battled back by Kamila and the Russian team, she is now allowed to compete in the event again, but a giant asterisk was placed over the event.

According to reports, if Valieva manages to get placed on the podium with a phenomenal score, the medal ceremony and medals themselves will be held until the matter is fully resolved, which did not sit well with those involved.

⛸️ Why was the result of Valieva's test delayed and what would happen if she won a medal in Beijing? https://t.co/oO24QM5256

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 14, 2022

Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian figure skater, is cleared to compete again in the Winter Olympics despite failing a drug test. pic.twitter.com/YX68PoA3H0

— HuffPost (@HuffPost) February 14, 2022

So if Valieva finishes second or third they are going to deny the cloud-free Olympic gold medalist a ceremony and the anthem and the memories? Bad call, the latest bad call

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) February 14, 2022

I want everyone to remember one very important thing amidst the Kamila Valieva controversy: She is a minor & she is not to blame for an ounce of this. She only did what she was told. The adults in charge are responsible for this mess.

What an embarrassment for sport.

— Kyle Shewfelt (@kyleshew) February 14, 2022

Now to add fuel to the controversial fire and backlash online, Sha'Carri Richardson was asked for her comments and spoke up about the purported double standards and hypocrisy that is on display from the Olympic committee. Just six months ago while gearing up for the 2020 Summer Tokyo Olympics, it was determined that because Richardson tested positive for marijuana, she would be unable to go off to Tokyo and compete for a gold medal, despite numerous experts weighing in on how marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug in the field of sprinting.

This has caused the controversial figure skater to now land the Olympic Committee in hot water with many, as this is now being portrayed as a Russian getting explicit privilege and favoritism over a Black American sprinter. In the wake of the news trending today, the topic was widely discussed on social media and covered en masse.

The American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who lost her spot on the U.S. team for the 2020 Summer Olympics after she tested positive for marijuana, questioned why the Russian skater Kamila Valieva could compete after failing a doping test. https://t.co/CmPMgKpHtr pic.twitter.com/R1BdVQT41r

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 14, 2022

I’m sorry, but Sha'Carri Richardson was banned from competing in the Olympics because of weed. If the IOC lets Kamila Valieva (and ROC) keep her Gold and compete after using a PED, we got problems. pic.twitter.com/mVSUunAq6V

— ✌🏼Andy Splatz✌🏼 (@AndySplatz) February 10, 2022

So many of y’all owe Sha’Carri an apology for how y’all reacted to her situation last summer. https://t.co/QQ3bnIfQ4E

— C$ (@httpcjd_) February 14, 2022

Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines? My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady. https://t.co/JtUfmp3F8L

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022

Sha'Carri Richardson shares her thoughts on the Kamila Valieva's case. pic.twitter.com/vMevZ52P7m

— espnW (@espnW) February 14, 2022