Russian President Vladimir Putin backed figure skater Kamila Valiyeva on Tuesday, and said he had not competed “dishonestly” since his doping case dominated this year’s Winter Olympics.
Valieva won gold medal for the Russian team in the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics, but the award ceremony did not take place due to a positive test at the Russian National Championships in late December, with an unresolved case of doping. .
“Through his work, he brought the sport to the level of real art,” Putin said. “It is impossible to achieve this kind of unscrupulous perfection with the help of additional elements or manipulation.”
Russia competed in the Beijing Olympics without a flag or anthem, after years of doping sanctions and legal battle in many different sports. Russia denies any state funding for doping.
Putin presented Valiyeva with the state award at a televised medal ceremony in Russia and congratulated her on her 16th birthday on Tuesday. “It’s a great honor for me,” Valieva said.
After Valieva tested positive for drugs at the Olympics, she faces possible suspension from competition until the case is resolved, but the sports arbitration tribunal allowed her to continue competing. She finished fourth in the women’s individual competition when compatriot Anna Shcherbakova of Russia won gold.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, athletes and teams from Russia and its ally Belarus have been banned from many international sporting events, and Russia has been denied the right to host various competitions. . Putin said Russia should take new steps instead.
“Canceled competitions must be returned to our new formats. “We can do it quickly,” Putin said, adding that Russia should invite “international athletes, clubs, teams”.
Source: Huffpost
