Why Kamila Valieva’s ‘very traumatising’ skating controversy matters

As Kamila Valieva fell multiple times in Thursday’s free skate program at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, many of the figure skating fans in attendance felt for the 15-year-old.

Under the immense weight of a huge doping scandal, Valieva finished in fourth place in the women’s individual event, while her Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) teammate Anna Shcherbakova captured gold.

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Valieva - who was the clear favourite for the gold medal after coming out on top in Tuesday’s short program - broke into tears as she left the ice as the emotion of the past few days appeared to catch up with her.

Loud chants of “Kamila, Kamila, Kamila” came from the stands as a tearful Valieva was consoled by coach Eteri Tutberidze as she made her way off the rink.

Former US Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds offered her support to Valieva on Twitter.

“Very traumatising Olympic experience for Kamila Valieva. She should not have been allowed to compete, it’s devastating that she was put in this situation, on all levels.”

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Shcherbakova, who was the skater who competed directly before Valieva in the final, said she felt “nervous” watching her teammate skate.

“I watched Kamila but probably did not understand what I was experiencing,” the 17-year-old said.

“Of course, I was very nervous for her during the skate because from the very first jump it was clear that the skate is going very hard and I understand perfectly what an athlete feels at those moments.”

But the controversy over Valieva being allowed to compete in