China: Russians in Beijing share takes on ROC figure skater Valieva's failed doping test

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Russian residents in Beijing shared their reactions on Friday to the failed drug test of the member of the Russian Olympic Committee and figure skating sensation Kamila Valieva.

“Our athletes have been repeatedly tested for doping. So it would be very stupid of them to come here being ‘not clean’. I’m sure that our athletes are clean and they wouldn’t put themselves, and especially Russia, in danger of a doping scandal,” commented Olesya, a Russian resident in Beijing.

“That is why I believe in our team, I believe that we could fight for the top places [during the Olympic Games],” added Olesya.

The Independent Testing Agency confirmed earlier that the athlete tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva‘s fate now to be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport before February 15, when the athlete is expected to compete.

According to the Russian Olympic Committee, the positive doping test of Valieva does not apply to the period of the Olympic Games. Moreover, the figure skater repeatedly passed doping tests before and after December 25, including the period when she was in Beijing during the figure skating competition, and all results were negative.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Wednesday that the medal ceremony for figure skaters would be delayed due to “legal issues.”

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Olesya, Russian resident in Beijing (Russian): “Our athletes have been repeatedly tested for doping. So it would be very stupid of them to come here being ‘not clean’. I’m sure that our athletes are clean and they wouldn’t put themselves, and especially Russia, in danger of a doping scandal. That is why I believe in our team, I believe that we could fight for the top places [during the Olympic Games], and receive many gold, and not only, medals.”

SOT, Olesya, Russian resident in Beijing (Russian): “Kamila was the favourite in these Games, everyone – athletes and media - was talking about her, everyone knows her face. She is our little star, our wonderful girl. Now it’s especially hard for her, a lot of pressure for such a young athlete, she is just 15 years old. She is being pressed by the international community, especially by the media. But we believe in her, I wish her to be loyal to herself and head towards the victory.”

SOT, Sofia, Russian resident in Beijing (Russian): “The situation is very unclear of course. Nobody understands what is happening and who needs it. We don’t know the truth, of course, and can’t comment and even blame anyone, but it feels very sad.”

SOT, Sofia, Russian resident in Beijing (Russian): “During the last two days everyone, and especially me, didn’t know what to feel, how to act. We are in Beijing now and the Olympics are being held here, but we are rooting for Russia. I would really want everything to go smoothly. Because our athletes, especially figure skaters, are doing a good job. I follow figure skating [competitions] and for me it is very important that our athletes show everything they can, our figure skaters are the best. Hopefully everything will be good and that somebody probably misunderstood something and it’s not that sad.”

SOT, Lev, Russian resident in Beijing (Russian): “This whole situation, it’s not only about whether [they] will take away the medal or not. This whole situation is just upsetting, probably for anyone, as for patriots of our country. Furthermore, for the young athletes.”

Video ID: 20220211-041

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