Russia hits back at ‘evil’ as Kremlin backs 15-year-old Kamila Valieva in Winter Olympics doping saga

Russian teenage figure skater Kamila Valieva has thrown her fist to the air after receiving support from the Kremlin back in Moscow amid her doping controversy at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would still not confirm reports of a positive test among the Russian figure skating team.

“(The reports) flared up among those who did not have verified information,” said Peskov.

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“As usual, not knowing the details, everyone began to yell far and wide. We will not join this orderly row of yellers.”

A sample was reportedly obtained before Valieva won last month’s European championships, a performance that solidified her status as the leader of Russia’s ‘quad squad’ of elite women’s figure skaters, but it only came to light during the Winter Olympics this week.

The controversy has continued to delay the medal ceremony of the figure skating team event, which was won by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

“The only primary source of information should be the IOC,” Peskov added.

“You have heard the IOC statements, there is no point for us to add anything here. We are guided by the IOC and we wish our athletes, including Valieva, only gold medals.”

Multiple sources have told CNN Sports analyst Christine Brennan the athlete from the figure skating team event on the ROC team who tested positive for a prohibited substance is a minor.

The only minor on the ROC figure skating team is Valieva, the 15-year-old star who made history in the team event this week as the first woman to land a quad jump at the Winter Olympics.

Valieva is the favourite to take gold in the women’s figure skating event - one of the most