“In order not to be offensive, we should have thought in advance how to help Valieva and not publish afterwords” – Rodnina

So that it doesn’t hurt anymore because of the figure skater’s disqualification Kamila Valieva it was necessary to think in advance about how to help her, and not to publish afterwards, the three-time Olympic figure skating champion and deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation told . Irina Rodnina .

On Monday, the CAS suspended Valieva for four years for violating anti-doping rules. The court release noted that the skater was unable to provide convincing evidence that the violation was unintentional. The disqualification period begins on December 25, 2021. On Wednesday, coach Eteri Tutberidze released a statement on social media in which she questioned the competence of lawyers representing Valieva’s interests at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

— Eteri Tutberidze doubted the work of the lawyers who defended Valieva in court. Do you think it is possible for a coach not to know who and how to defend his athlete in court, and not to understand in two years how the banned drug entered Valieva’s body?

— I don’t know, it’s difficult for me to comment on that. In order not to be offended now because of such a verdict, it was necessary to think in advance how to help him, and not after (publish).

— There are opinions that the coaching staff should have been blamed in this matter.

— I can say that in 2016 we adopted a law against doping in sport. It says very clearly: if a minor athlete is caught doping, the coach, doctor and parents are responsible for him,” Rodnina told .