Matytsin: “I continue to consider Valieva a great athlete. His absence from the Spartakiad reduces the level of competition”

Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin said that the Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva remains a great athlete, and her absence from the Spartakiad of the Strongest affects the competition.

At the end of January, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended Valieva 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. On Friday, Deputy Governor of the Chelyabinsk region Vadim Evdokimov told that the organizers of the Strongest Spartakiad wanted to invite Valieva to demonstrations in Magnitogorsk, but the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) explained that this was impossible due to the disqualification of the athlete. .

— Is the Spartakiade figure skating tournament losing a lot without Valieva?

– Certainly. The Spartakiad takes place among the strongest athletes and Kamila is one of the strongest figure skaters. Its non-participation reduces the level of competition.

— Do you continue to consider her an Olympic champion?

“I continue to consider her a great athlete and a very well-rounded person.” I hope she can overcome these difficulties. She has already proven by her behavior and activities that she can achieve this,” Matytsin told .

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