Athletistic / Figure skating. In recent days, Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has become one of the main characters of the national sport. On November 9 and 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) heard her doping case and on November 11, she took to the ice.

The court will issue a decision in 2024

Valieva passed a positive doping test at the Russian Championships in 2021. But this only became known during the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing (China). Moreover, the information was revealed only after the Russian won the team championship as part of the national team.

Amid the mega-scandal, they didn’t want to allow him to compete in individual competitions. But in the end, they allowed it. Having become nervous, the big favorite only became 4th, even though the experts were confident in her gold.

The team championship medals have not yet been awarded. The case is being heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) demands that Valieva’s results be overturned (meaning depriving Russia of Olympic gold) and that the figure skater herself be suspended for four years (effectively ending her career now). The decision will be made in January 2024.

I went out on the ice, no matter what

Despite very difficult days, Valieva took to the ice during the Russian Grand Prix stage in her native Kazan. The figure skater coped brilliantly with her nerves, showing the best result in the short program. Moreover, she missed the previous stages of the Grand Prix. Thus, the skater’s first departure this season took place the day after the CAS examined the file!

Valieva’s performance turned out to be really cool. She scored 81.09 points. Just admire his performance:

Second was Sofya Muravyova (77.02) and third was Alina Gorbacheva (73.29). The gap is not yet big enough to allow Valieva to win gold earlier than expected. But the very appearance of a figure skater on the ice in such conditions is already a mini-victory.

Naturally, Valieva’s speech was actively discussed in the press and by experts.

Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova I really appreciated Camila’s rental.

“I really liked Valieva’s skating. You can always skate even better, even more emotionally, but it was good. For the first time it was just great, she controlled everything, did everything. From the competition ? Kamila is the only one. Her skating is the strongest, “Tarasova quotes “Sport Express”.

The former figure skater was also impressed by the performance Katharina Gerboldt.

“Valieva’s victory in the short program did not raise any questions? This is sport, there are always questions here. Yes, Valieva, as expected, became the leader after the short program, but the free program is ahead.”

Let’s see what elements Kamila will do in the free program. The same Gorbacheva, third, will skate with quadruple jumps. I think the most interesting is yet to come.

Overall, I really like Valieva’s short program this year. I think it suits her, looks very feminine and advantageous,” Match TV quotes Herboldt.

I agree with the experts and Elena Radionova. At the same time, the former figure skater said that she expected a brilliant fight in the free program.

“The first three girls skated very well today. Kamila showed a very convincing performance, well done. Alina Gorbacheva and Sofia Muravyova also played with confidence, they did everything.

I think that in the free program there will be an interesting fight, despite a certain reserve from Kamila. And of course, in anticipation of quadruple jumps.

It’s a shame that Alina and Sonya abandoned the axel again after three and a half laps today, but we will take into account the start of the season. At the Russian Championships, this jump in the short program will simply be necessary to win, ”TASS quotes Radionova.

As for Valieva herself, Kamila was positive.

“The crowd is amazing, nice, I’m very grateful for the support. I’m very happy to finally start my competitive season.

Preparations for the stage took place as usual, in general all difficulties were left aside, so I calmly tried to recover as much as possible.

They offered me to go to Krasnoyarsk, I just wasn’t physically ready, the competition took place two weeks earlier. To show at least some kind of holistic result, I needed to prepare a little more, so I just said Kazan and Moscow.

Of course, I miss competitions. The first stage of the Kazan Grand Prix is ​​very very pleasant. There was so much support and shouting from the stands, and the applause was sorely missed. Thank you very much to the audience!”, Valieva said in “Championship”.

The fight for medals in Kazan will continue today, November 12. The girls will present their free programs at 15:00 Moscow time.

Anton Mozgovoy, Athletistic


@sportru