Sawt Falasteen - WADA refers Valieva doping case to CAS

Last month, WADA warned the Russian Anti-Doping Agency to speed up its investigation into Valieva.

RUSADA had said it would not reveal either the date of Valieva's hearing or the verdict, adding it had made the decision to "protect the interests" of the teenager who is a "protected person".

"Despite putting RUSADA under formal notice to resolve the Kamila Valieva case promptly, no progress was made," WADA president Witold Banka said on Twitter.

"Therefore, I can confirm WADA has now officially referred it directly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

The teenager, then 15, became the first woman to land a quadruple jump in Olympic competition, helping the Russian team secure gold in the team event.

It later emerged she had tested positive before the Games for trimetazidine, a drug used to treat angina but which is banned for athletes because it can boost endurance.

CAS allowed Valieva to continue competing at the Olympics, citing her young age, though without clearing her of doping.

After an outcry led by the United States about the decision to allow her to stay in the competition, hot favourite Valieva fell several times in the individual final and finished in fourth place.

The International Olympic Committee decided not to award any medals for the team event until Valieva's doping case has been resolved.

P.AbuBaker--SF-PST