Alina Gorbacheva: “Valieva is ideal for not giving up, slipping and not withdrawing into herself. It’s an indicator of his character.”

Olympic figure skating champion Kamila Valieva shows strength of character by continuing to compete despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yet to issue a decision on her doping case, Russian junior champion says Alina Gorbacheva .

The hearings in the 17-year-old Valieva case concluded at the CAS in mid-November. It was previously reported that the court intended to deliver its verdict at the end of January 2024. The International Skating Union (ISU) announced at the end of November that the decision should be published no later than February 12.

— You probably know that Valieva performed in Kazan in the middle of all the legal proceedings. What emotions does the fact that it continues to ride no matter what happens evoke?

— She has a very strong character. I think this is very difficult to achieve when you find yourself in such a difficult life situation. But she’s great at not giving up, at rolling, at not withdrawing into herself. This is an indicator of his character.

— Is there anything that attracts you about her as an athlete?

— She is very flexible, stretches and lifts her legs very easily (laughs). All this together is very beautiful,” Gorbatcheva told Metaratings.ru.

Valieva at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing helped the Russian team win gold in the team competition. Before the personal tournament, it became known that the banned drug trimetazidine was found during the doping test of the figure skater of the Russian championship. The CAS admitted the Russian to the individual competitions of the Games, where she took fourth place. The award ceremony for the Olympic medalists in the team tournament has not yet taken place.

Metaratings.ru