Valieva shines through doping cloud as Beijing holds its breath

BEIJING : Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva on Tuesday shrugged off her Olympic doping scandal to dominate the women's competition with an emotional performance that put her ahead in the hunt for a gold medal that is unlikely to be awarded at the Beijing Games.

The 15-year-old fought back tears as she completed the 2 minute and 40 second routine, watched by millions around the world, her music almost drowned out by the clicking of cameras.

No medals will be awarded at the Winter Games for the women's event if Valieva finishes in the top three of the two-day competition, which resumes on Thursday.

The teenager, who was cleared to compete by sport's top court despite testing positive for a banned heart drug, will not have her case resolved before the Beijing Games end.

Valieva tested positive at her national championships on Dec. 25 but the result was not revealed until Feb. 8, after she had already competed at the Beijing Games in the team event.

Earlier on Tuesday, an Olympic official said Valieva's defence was that there had been a mix up with her grandfather's heart medication.

The teenager's case has prompted uncomfortable questions about figure skating, and whether or not the minimum age for competitors - 15 - needs to be raised.

American Mariah Bell skated in the women's singles on Tuesday, and as she left the ice took a swipe at minors competing on the biggest stage.

"I absolutely believe that there should be an age limit," the 25-year-old said.

"I know for me, personally, I know when you’re growing there’s a lot of changes happening. There are minors competing... that's a whole different thing."

The nine skaters who featured for the U.S. and the seven who competed for Japan in the team event will go home without