RUSADA decided to exercise its right to appeal the decision on the case of the figure skater - a member of the ROC team - made by an independent body for the consideration of anti-doping disputes, the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee, to CAS after studying the motivational part of the decision.
Despite the high level of international interest in this case, RUSADA does not differentiate it from other cases of anti-doping rule violations in order to ensure equal treatment of all persons covered by the World Anti-Doping Code and to protect the interests and rights of all clean Russian athletes.
After investigating the decision's motivations, RUSADA believes that the athlete's side could not prove her innocence at the level required by the rules. As at the stage of submitting the case to the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee, RUSADA is convinced that the athlete is guilty of violating the rules, but it is minimal and a reasonable sanction could be the issuance of a "warning".
RUSADA has no right to comment on the merits of the case at this time, so it cannot reveal the reasons for its position or the requested sanction. RUSADA's reasoned position was submitted to the CAS for the arbitrators' objective and impartial consideration.
RUSADA's main values are uncompromising anti-doping fight and athlete health protection, which are implemented within the framework of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules, the World Anti-Doping Code, and International Standards.