Russian skating federation contradicts suspension of figure skater Kamila Valieva | Olympics

sport">“Kamila is not excluded from participating in the Games,” spokeswoman Olga Jermolina told TASS news agency. The denial follows a report in the Russian newspaper Sport Express that the 15-year-old figure fighter will not be allowed to participate next week.

sport">The fuss arose when the celebration of the Russian team, which had won gold in the Nations Cup on Monday, was canceled due to a “legal issue.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has so far declined further explanation. According to Russian and American media, European champion Valieva, nicknamed Miss Perfect, has tested positive for Trimetazidine, a performance-enhancing drug that is on the banned list.

sport">Jermolina said she now awaits an official announcement from the IOC. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also said so. “We are following the directions of the IOC and hope that our athletes, including Valieva, win nothing but gold,” Peskov said.

sport">Valieva showed herself again on the ice in Beijing on Thursday. On Wednesday she was still missing from training.

sport">All Olympic games can be followed live and can be viewed via Eurosport/discovery+.

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