Winter Olympics: Kamila Valieva treatment blasted as ‘traumatised’ star doesn’t win medal

The treatment of Russian figure-skater Kamila Valieva has been heavily criticised, with the teenager reduced to tears following her routine in the women’s event final, which saw her finish outside the medals. 

Valieva was the heavy favourite to win gold in the event ahead of the Games but has been embroiled in a doping controversy after it was revealed she tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine back in December. 

The Russian was initially suspended last week, but had her ban revoked by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). 

Despite an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against RUSADA’s decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Valieva would be allowed to compete due to “exceptional circumstances.” 

Valieva qualified for the final of the women’s event on Tuesday but was visibly overcome with emotion as she took to the ice today and looked nothing like herself. 

The teenager appeared to lose her balance on at least three or four occasions, which sparked BBC commentator Kat Downes to state: “I’m slightly speechless… for all the wrong reasons.” 

As Valieva reached the end of her routine, she appeared shell-shocked, devastated and fully aware that her medal chances were over. 

The European champion was even reduced to tears at one stage, as were her fellow Russian compatriots, who seemingly found the routine difficult to watch. 

The decision to allow someone as young and emotionally vulnerable as Valieva to compete, even with all this controversy surrounding her, has sparked widespread backlash on social media. 

Tariq Panja, a reporter for the New York Times, wrote: “Possibly one of the worst sights in Olympic history today. A