Kamila Valieva trains in Beijing as ‘cloud’ hovers above figure skating at Winter Olympics 2022

Teenage Russian star Kamila Valieva trained in Beijing on Thursday, but former athlete and Eurosport expert Valentina Marchei feels there is a “cloud” above Olympic figure skating while allegations surrounding the 15-year-old continue. Associated Press and Reuters are among the outlets citing claims by Russian newspapers RBC and Kommersant that Valieva has tested positive for a banned drug — reported to be Trimetazidine — which is normally used to treat chest pain.

Ad/> None of the reports have been confirmed and the International Olympic Committee has refused to comment on the speculation, while AP has quoted Russian figure skating federation spokeswoman Olga Ermolina, who has confirmed their athlete is “not suspended”. /> Beijing 2022'Oh no! Disastrous start!' — Rizzo trips over wall at beginning of routine30 MINUTES AGO Valieva was one of the skaters who guided the Russian Olympic Committee to team gold, but the medal ceremony has so far been delayed because of what has officially been described as a ‘legal issue’.

“I am not going to comment on speculation that I have seen overnight,” said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams on Thursday. “We had a situation arise yesterday that had legal implications and I am not going to comment on a legal case from the podium of a press conference because it would not be appropriate." Valieva was on the ice on Thursday morning, accompanied by her coach Eteri Tutberidze, and her performance looked to be unaffected by the reports as she regularly produced quadruple jumps.

She did not stop to speak to the media in the mixed zone, which all athletes pass through after completing competition and practice. IOC remains tight-lipped following team figure skating medal ceremony delay Valieva the