Kamila Valieva's Journey: From Prodigy to Doping Ban and Potential Comeback
Kamila Valieva's Journey: Prodigy, Ban, and Comeback

Kamila Valieva stands out as a remarkable Russian figure skater. People know her for amazing speed, graceful movements, and record-shattering routines. She entered the world in 2006 in Kazan, Russia. Valieva started skating very young and quickly earned recognition as a true prodigy in the sport.

Career Achievements and Financial Status

Throughout her skating life, Kamila Valieva collected many titles. She won at both national and international competitions. Valieva also broke world records during her peak. She made history by becoming only the second woman ever to perform a quadruple toe loop in a competitive setting.

As of 2026, estimates place Kamila Valieva's net worth at approximately $2 million. This wealth primarily accumulated from prize money earned before her suspension. Limited participation in ice shows and massive global media coverage during the 2022 Olympics also contributed to her finances.

The Doping Ban and Current Situation

Kamila Valieva received a four-year doping ban that lasted until December 25, 2025. This prohibition prevented her from competing in any official events or joining sanctioned activities. Now nineteen years old, she conducts private training sessions at Tatiana Navka's academy.

Her current focus involves physical recovery and practicing triple jumps. A potential return to competition in late 2026 remains possible. However, her actual readiness for such a comeback remains uncertain at this time.

Early Life and Training

Kamila Valieva was born on April 26, 2006, in Kazan, Russia. From her earliest years, she received training in ballet, gymnastics, and figure skating. Skating eventually became her primary dedication. In 2009, she began formal skating lessons at a local sports school.

Valieva later relocated to Moscow to train at a premier skating academy. Her commitment and exceptional skill were evident immediately. She advanced rapidly through Russia's junior skating ranks, demonstrating extraordinary talent.

Competitive Career and Records

Kamila Valieva made her international debut at the 2019 Junior Grand Prix in Courchevel, France. She secured a bronze medal overall by placing third in the short program and first in the free skate segment. Valieva then captured gold at the Junior Grand Prix in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

She earned titles at both the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final and the 2020 World Junior Championships. In 2021, Valieva transitioned to senior-level competitions. She established new world junior records in the short program, free skate, and total score categories. These records were later invalidated following her doping disqualification.

2022 Olympics and Doping Controversy

Kamila Valieva attracted worldwide attention during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. She competed for the Russian Olympic Committee team, which initially won team gold. That medal was stripped in January 2024 after her disqualification was finalized.

During the short program, Valieva successfully landed a quad Salchow jump. However, a positive doping test for trimetazidine from December 2021 sparked international controversy. The Court of Arbitration for Sport provisionally allowed her to compete in the women's singles free skate, where she finished fourth.

All her competitive results from 2022 were subsequently voided. This followed the imposition of a four-year ban retroactive to December 2021.