IOC president Thomas Bach concerned for wellbeing of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva

IOC president Thomas Bach says it was «chilling» to see the «tremendous coldness» between Russian skater Kamila Valieva and her entourage after Thursday's free skate at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The 15-year-old Valieva finished fourth in the women's figure skating competition after an error-strewn performance at the Beijing Capital Stadium.

She had placed first after the short program on Tuesday despite stumbling uncharacteristically during a triple axel and leaving the ice in tears.

As she again exited the ice with tears streaming down her face, controversial coach Eteri Tutberidze asked her: «Why did you stop fighting?»

She only put her arm across Valieva's shoulder as she sat sobbing next to her in the so-called kiss and cry area while waiting for her results.

«When I afterwards saw how she was received by her closest entourage with what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this, rather than giving her comfort, rather than to try to help her,» Bach said.

«All of this does not give me much confidence in this closest entourage of Kamila, neither with regard to what happened in the past, nor as far as it concerns the future.

»How to deal, how to address, how to treat a minor athlete at the age of 15 under such an obvious mental stress.

«I am very concerned.»

Valieva had tested positive for a banned substance on December 25 but her test result was not revealed until February 8, after Valieva competed in the team event at the Winter Games.

RUSADA, the Russian anti-doping agency upheld her appeal against the automatic suspension but the IOC, International Skating Union (ISU) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) all appealed against that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS upheld