BEIJING, Feb. 16 (BNA) – Russian figure skater Kamila Valyaeva shrugged off the Olympic doping scandal on Tuesday to dominate the women’s competition with an emotional performance that pushed her ahead in the hunt for a gold medal unlikely to be awarded in the competition. Beijing games.
The 15-year-old battled back tears as she completed a two-minute, 40-second routine watched by millions around the world, nearly drowning out her music by pressing the cameras, Reuters reports.
No Winter Games medals will be awarded for the women’s event if Valeeva finishes in the top three in the two-day competition that resumes on Thursday.
The teen, who was allowed to compete before the Supreme Court of Sports despite having tested positive for a banned heart drug, her case will not be resolved before the Beijing Olympics are over.
Valieva tested positive in her national championships on December 25, but the result was not revealed until February 8, after she had already competed in the Beijing Olympics in the team event.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Olympic official said Valeeva’s defense was that there had been a complication with her grandfather’s heart medication. Read more
The teen’s case has raised uncomfortable questions about figure skating, and whether or not the minimum age for runners – 15 – should be raised. Read more
American Maria Bell skated in the women’s singles on Tuesday, and as she left the ice, she criticized underage girls competing on the bigger stage.
“I totally think there should be an age limit,” said the 25-year-old.
“Personally for me, I know that as you grow, a lot of changes happen. There are minors competing… and that’s a whole different thing.”
The nine skaters who competed with the United States and the seven who competed with Japan in the team event will return home without their medals due to the drug case in Valiyeva. The United States came behind the Russian Olympic Committee and Japan came in third.
“My heart goes out to the rest of my teammates, and I hope we can find a way to celebrate together,” said American ice dancer Madison Hubbell. Read more
On Tuesday night, Valeeva was expected to perform three high-flying triples, but faltered in the opening triple of Axel. Her score of 82.16 was way less than the 90.18 score she got in the team event.
However, it was enough to put her ahead of world champion Anna Shcherbakova, with a score of 80.20, and third, Kaori Sakamoto, of Japan, at 79.84 in Thursday’s free skating match.
China wins
US-born Chinese snowboarder Zhou Yi did not qualify for free skating, but she was greeted with a standing ovation from skating fans in her hometown when she returned to the ice with a smile on Tuesday.
After her fault-ridden performance saw China finish fifth from third in the team event, Zhu became the target of online criticism about her performance, as well as her choice over another Chinese skater.
“I think it was a bit of a deliverance,” Zhou said on Tuesday. “I think I skated a lot better than the team event. I feel more comfortable trying to enjoy the game, which is why I smiled.” Read more
Young teenager Su Yiming gave his early 18th birthday gift by taking the gold in the men’s Big Air figure skating event, marking China’s first-ever Olympic title in figure skating and the sixth gold medal in Beijing. Read more
“I have many different dreams, but today’s gold medal is the biggest dream I’ve seen since I was young,” Su said after finishing the podium.
Another home favorite, Elaine Gu, had her sights set on winning another gold in Beijing after her previous Big Air win but ended up snatching the silver in the women’s free skating.
The Chinese Snow Princess was completely off the start, achieving a clean and controlled first run, but crashing to the surface on her second attempt, forcing her to sit on her skis to catch her breath.
The fall added to the pressure on Joe before her third and final round, and while she got 86.23 that wasn’t enough to beat Mathilde Grimaud’s best 86.56, Estonian Kelly Seldaro took the bronze with 82.06.