Olympic Chief Thomas Bach Concerned About Harsh Comments By Kamila Valieva’s Coach

Russian skater Kamila Valieva, 15, finished in fourth place in the individual event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics falling several times.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, expressed his concerns regarding Valieva’s entourage before her performance occurred.

Valieva was in first place heading into the free skate routine, but then stumbled at least four times failing to medal in the event. After the end of her routine, Valieva was seen crying with her face buried in her hands in the kiss-and-cry booth. She was then met by coach Eteri Tutberidze, who could be heard asking, “Why did you let it go? Why did you stop fighting?”

It was the latest example of what Tutberidze’s critics consider harsh treatment and training methods.

“You could feel this chilling atmosphere, this distance,” Bach said of the interaction.

Bach described Valieva’s coach’s behavior as “dismissive gestures.” He said his concerns were only confirmed by the comments of silver medalist and teammate of Valieva, Alexandra Trusova, 17, who placed second in the event.

“I am not happy with the result,” Trusova said. “There is no happiness.”

Though Trusova said she was satisfied with her performance, she was frustrated by the judges. She shouted at the side of the rink, “I hate this sport. I won’t go onto the ice again.”

“This does not give me much confidence in the closest entourage of Kamila, neither in regard to what happened in the past, nor as it concerns the future,” Bach said.

Regarding Valieva, there is still heavy tension within the IOC over her positive test for Trimetazidine, a banned drug used to treat heart conditions by increasing blood flow to the heart, back in December. The IOC said that there would not be a medal ceremony if Valieva were to finish in the top three. This announcement came in response to the Court of Arbitration’s decision not to place Valieva under a probationary ban and allow her to compete.