The story around Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has been bizarre. Fittingly, her 2022 Winter Olympics came to an end in an unexpected way.
After her positive test for a banned substance, there was controversy about whether Valieva should have been allowed to compete in Beijing. It was later announced that, if she finished in medal position, no ceremony would be held. Given that she was the clear favorite heading into the women’s event, that seemed like a given.
But after falling multiple times in her long program, that did not happen. Two Russian skaters were on the podium but Valieva finished in fourth place, just missing a medal.
The reactions were varied.
Some people felt it was fitting, whatever the figure skating equivalent of “ball don’t lie” is.
Why is everyone feeling sorry for her, she cheated got caught and still allowed to skate. Russia should not be allowed at the Olympics period! Did you all watch Icarus?? https://t.co/eW72CogqIY
— CjR (@cjr56) February 18, 2022
2022 Olympics: Kamila Valieva in tears after fourth-place finish https://t.co/01bK2Uk30V via @Yahoo
No sympathy for any athlete, regardless of country, who cheats! Why is Russian athletics even there?
— HardCore (@hartje_e) February 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/NotSoProudYank/status/1494500642584358920
Valieva received a lot of sympathy as well. Not so much for missing out on the medals but for being a 15-year-old going through a storm of negative publicity.
My heart breaks for this young woman. She's 15. She has not been treated right by the adults in her life. For whatever you might think of Kamila Valieva being permitted to compete (she definitely should not have been permitted), remember that she's 15. She's a child.
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) February 17, 2022
I don't think it is fair that a 15 year old (Kamila Valieva) has the weight of this Olympic drug scandal on her shoulders. She didn't give herself a cocktail of heart medications. That adults played w/ something so dangerous re a still growing kid is disgusting.
— This Got Me Thinking 🇺🇸 🇿🇦 (@Speaking_Plain) February 18, 2022
Can they please get the camera out of Kamila Valieva’s face
She’s literally a child, disgusting from NBC
— jess (@jessiecfilms) February 18, 2022
Heartbreaking to watch Kamila Valieva breakdown. All of it, too much for a 15 yr old to bear. Scrutiny is on adults around her: coach (known for brutal training) & team doctor (previously banned for doping violations) Reported w/ @sandssidhu @teelerebane2 https://t.co/lgCXjSnsaa
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) February 18, 2022
And at the end of it all, it’s hard to argue with that logic. If you’ve followed either the Beijing Winter Olympics or the 2020/2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, you’re familiar with the Russian Olympic Committee — or R.O.C. — designation. Russia, as a country, has been barred from competing. Russian athletes still compete, just under the R.O.C. banner, as opposed to the Russian flag. If you think that sounds like nothing more than a distinction without a difference, you’re not alone.
The reality is, though, that distinction means that something is going on in that country with its athletes. Furthermore, the International Olympic Committee knows it’s going on. As frustrating as that is, it is hard to blame the athletes — particularly the younger ones — for being caught in this mess.
The directors/coaches of the #ROC skating team should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for forcing that kid to be their pawn. She shouldn't have competed. And the coaches absolutely banned from this sport completely. Her life is ruined because of them. #Kamila_Valieva
— PopTrashMoviee (@l8dyice85) February 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/CaseyCip/status/1494514388182650928
https://twitter.com/Seye_Slived/status/1494514304955019268
Even if Valieva knew what she was taking, can we really believe that it was her idea and not that of the adults around her? And even if it was, it’s their job to be the adults and tell her no.
None of that happened. The I.O.C. brought this on themselves by acknowledging the issue with the Russian Federation while also creating such an obvious loophole. That does nothing to dissuade any of the cheating. Valieva’s situation exposed that.
If the I.O.C. wants this issue fixed, Russian athletes must be barred from an Olympics with no loopholes. That’s heartbreaking, especially for the innocent ones. And while it won’t fix the issue of doping in sports, it will go a long way in preventing a situation like this from ever happening again.
We can’t feel bad that Valieva didn’t win, or even medal. But we also can’t help but feel bad that a 15-year-old has been the cover girl for a scandal that was likely not her doing and, even if it was, remains a lot bigger than her. If the I.O.C. doesn’t take more drastic action, Valieva’s story will sadly not be the last of its kind.
