The Rush: Outrage over Kamila Valieva decision in Winter Olympics

Ben Simmons addressed Brooklyn Nets media for the first time since he was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, the decision to allow Kamila Valieva to keep competing despite a positive drug test has sent shockwaves through the Olympics, and Simone Biles got engaged on Valentine's Day.

Video Transcript

BEN SIMMONS: The mental health has nothing to do with just the trade, you know. It was a bunch of things that I was dealing with as a person in my personal life that I don't really want to go to depth with. But yeah, I'm here now. So, you know, it's a blessing to be in an organization like this. And I'm just looking forward to getting back on the floor and building something great here.

JARED QUAY: Ben Simmons will be suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kevin Durant. And when they're home, Kyrie Irving will be present, too.

- (SINGING) Home sweet home.

JARED QUAY: Simmons, for one, seems excited for the change of scenery, and there's a big game coming up that we hope he's ready for.

- You guys do have a game in Philly in a couple of weeks. Do you think you can be ready for that, you know, physically, mentally? I imagine it's a pretty--

BEN SIMMONS: I hope so.

JARED QUAY: Because you know Ben's games are the best games. I can't wait.

- The best.

JARED QUAY: While we were tuned in to the Super Bowl, there was some crazy stuff happening over in the Winter Olympics. Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for banned substance. So she got sent to home, and the Russian Olympic Committee lost their gold medal in that team event, right?

- Wrong.

JARED QUAY: The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that because Kamila is under the age of 16, she is considered a "protected" person and can do all the PED she wants. Let's load up with steroids, people.

- That's a terrible excuse.

JARED QUAY: Long story short, she ain't going home and all. She ain't losing any medal any time soon. And Kamila gets to keep competing, and people are understandably feeling some type of [? way. ?]

- Anger, confusion.

JARED QUAY: I know. I'm confused as hell. NBC's commentators Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir let their feelings be known.

JOHNNY WEIR: I have to condemn this decision with every ounce of my soul. The Olympics has to be clean, or it's not fair.

JARED QUAY: Sha'Carri Richardson was banned for the Summer Olympics for taking marijuana, and she wasn't too happy with the apparent double standard.

- Not cool. Not cool!

JARED QUAY: Do you mean to tell me you could take PEDs, but you can't smoke weed? What kind of world do we live in? Weed calms you down. PED is cheating.

- That's nice.

JARED QUAY: There's still an ongoing process where the IOC will rule definitively if the ROC and cheated. But that decision is months away, and no one can receive their medals until the ruling is decided.

- We're waiting.

JARED QUAY: Let's not forget. Russia was banned from the Olympics for two years for a state-run doping program. And I ain't no Olympic expert, but the whole situation feels inky.

- Something's not right here.

JARED QUAY: All right. Enough with the Olympic doom and gloom. Gymnastics' goat Simone Biles is engaged.

- Hurrah!

JARED QUAY: Simone will be tying the knot with the Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens. He proposed to Simone on Valentine's Day, which is a solid move-- I'll give him that-- but kind of confusing.

- Well done.

JARED QUAY: But, you know, what's even worse than that? Proposing at the Super Bowl, man. Everybody can't do that. That's cheating, man. You know, she can't say no. Somebody else loving can't break up that way and be like, hey, I'm [? opposing ?] to you at my job. Come on to the drive-thru. I got you.