Deputy Governor of the Chelyabinsk region: “We wanted Valieva to take part in the demonstrations at the Spartakiad”

Deputy Governor of the Chelyabinsk region Vadim Evdokimov told that the organizers of the Spartakiad of the Strongest wanted to invite the figure skater. Kamila Valieva for demonstration performances in Magnitogorsk, but the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) explained that due to the athlete’s disqualification this was impossible.

Figure skating competitions within the framework of the Spartakiad of the Strongest will take place in Magnitogorsk from February 16 to 18.

— Figure skating will take place in Magnitogorsk. Why there?

— The last time we went figure skating in Chelyabinsk was in December, during the Russian Championship. We consulted with the governor about why not organize it in Magnitogorsk. It is the second largest city in the Chelyabinsk region, a hockey city. We were worried about the city’s reaction, but figure skating confirmed that it is the most popular winter sport, as there is great interest and tickets sold out within days.

— Is it a big loss that Kamila Valieva is not coming to the Spartakiad?

“Of course, we were all worried and following the news related to Camila. We had the idea for Kamila to come with a demonstration to Magnitogorsk. The whole Chelyabinsk region supports Kamila, but unfortunately there are international rules and the FFKKR said that this is unfortunately impossible. This disqualification applies even to demonstration performances,” Evdokimov told .

Previously, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) disqualified the skater for four years for violating anti-doping rules. The 17-year-old Russian’s suspension period begins on December 25, 2021, and her results have been canceled since that date.