Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance in December, the International Testing Authority announced Thursday.
Valery Sharifulin / Getty Images
Russia's Olympic Committee said on Friday it vows to defend the "honestly won" Olympic gold medal by Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who officials said failed a drug test in December.
The ROC said in a statement it is "taking comprehensive measures to protect the rights and interests of the members of the ROC Team, and to keep the honestly won Olympic gold medal."
Valieva made history earlier this week as the first woman skater to land quadruple jumps at the Olympics, helping Russia to win the gold medal in the team figure-skating competition.
The International Testing Authority said on Thursday, however, that Valieva tested positive in December for a banned substance — trimetazidine — a heart medication banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
"Given that the athlete's positive doping test was not taken during the Olympic Games, the results of the athlete and the results of the team tournament during the Olympic Games are not subject to automatic review," the statement said.
Now, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, or CAS, will decide whether Valieva can continue to compete in Beijing.
Meanwhile, the ROC said Valieva "has the right to train and take part in competitions in full without restriction" unless the CAS says otherwise.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
