via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Women Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 17, 2022. Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts with coaches Eteri Tutberidze and Daniil Gleikhengauz after performing. REUTERS/Phil Noble
via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Women Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 17, 2022. Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts with coaches Eteri Tutberidze and Daniil Gleikhengauz after performing. REUTERS/Phil Noble
After Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva tested positive for using a banned substance, controversy surrounded the young athlete. While the uproar was understandable, the criticism she received was harsh and uncalled for. Hence, there are questions being raised over her entourage and the mistreatment of athletes at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Even IOC president, Thomas Bach, could not contemplate the reaction she received from her coach following her performance.
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The women’s figure skating competitions saw Anna Shcherbakova win the gold medal while Alexandra Trusova claimed the silver medal. Meanwhile, Valieva finished in fourth place to the disappointment of her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, who showed no encouragement or comfort whatsoever.
IOC president Thomas Bach was shocked
After putting in a sensational performance in the short program, Valieva saw a massive shift in her act. Favorite for a medal going into the next round, shockingly, Kamila slipped and faltered during her routine. From there, things went south. When she returned to her coach, instead of reassuring her, Tutberidze was rather critical of the 15-year-old’s performance.
“Why did you stop fighting? Explain it to me, why?” said Tutberidze.
via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Women Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 17, 2022. Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts with coaches Daniil Gleikhengauz and Eteri Tutberidze after her performance. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
This reaction sent shock waves as International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, could not believe what happened. He spoke about how difficult it was to watch her on tv and how he could gauge the pressure she was under.
“This pressure is beyond my imagination, and particular for a girl of 15 years old. It was chilling to see this, rather than giving her comfort, rather than to try to help her,” said Bach.
Alexandra Trusova disappointed
As Valieva finished fourth, Trusova claimed the silver medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics. However, her reaction after that was heartbreaking to watch. She was inconsolable as she cried uncontrollably, disappointed with her second-place finish, claiming to hate the sport.
This has caused a major stir on the welfare of the athletes. Journalist James Toney revealed how Bach reacted to the situation.
“How can you be so cold to your athlete? When I read how Sasha Trusova was being treated, the impression I had was not the wrong one,” said Bach as reported by James.
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IOC president Bach on Kamila Valieva
"How can you be so cold to your athlete? When I read how Sasha Trusova was being treated, the impression I had was not the wrong one."#FigureSkating #Beijing2022
— James Toney (@jtoneysbeat) February 18, 2022
These recent problems have brought the welfare of these young athletes into the limelight. Even at the age of 15 and 17, they are competing at the highest level. Hence, questions are being raised about the mental health and treatment of the young stars.
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