SRC not working on "Import Audio" PT 2021.3.1 Ultimate

[CHD]

I am experiencing the issue with SRC not working on "Import Audio". No matter what source sample rate I specify the files are imported at their original sample rate, so no speed changes are available (I've been using this feature for speeding up/slowing down audio for almost 20 years). I tried every combination of settings in Preferences with no results. MacBook Pro M1 13" 16GB, MacOS 11.6.1 clean install, PT Ultimate 2021.3.1. I found a dedicated thread for this bug here
https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=415522
but I wonder is it only me and only one other person who experience this bug? I find this variable sample rate SRC function essential for many Post workflows.