BEIJING — The International Olympic Committee has been operating under the apparent assumption that if Kamila Valieva is found guilty of doping, Russian skaters will forfeit the gold medals they won in the figure skating team event at the Beijing Olympics.
On Thursday, the Russian Olympic Committee challenged that assumption, and vowed to fight it in court, citing vague anti-doping rules that could muddle the case.
Valieva, 15, led Russia to gold on Feb. 7. The following day, officials notified her that she’d tested positive for a banned substance. The IOC swiftly postponed the medal ceremony, and later said it would not be held during the Beijing Games.