'Coldness' of Kamila Valieva's team toward skater 'chilling to see,' IOC chief says

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said Friday he was disturbed to see the "coldness" of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva’s coaches toward her following the athlete’s fourth-place finish during the women’s free skate.

Valieva slipped multiple times during her routine. The 15-year-old skater was clearly emotional as she finished up her routine. Her coach Eteri Tutberidze made it clear she wasn’t happy with the performance as the competitor came off the ice.

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Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts after competing in the women's free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

"Why did you let it go?" she was heard asking in Russian, via The New York Times. "Why did you stop fighting? Explain it to me. Why? You let it go after that axel. Why?"

Bach remarked on the pressure and harsh critiques lobbed at Valieva.

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"When I afterwards saw how she was received by her closest entourage, with such, what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this," Bach said. "Rather than giving her comfort, rather than to try to help her, you could feel this chilling atmosphere, this distance."

President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, left, arrives for the men's downhill at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The falls were uncharacteristic of Valieva who had been dominant in the events leading up to the women’s free skate.