Tearful Kamila Valieva 'tired emotionally' by doping scandal ahead of competition

Figure skater Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee in action during a practice session at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 14 February 2022. EPA

Kamila Valieva, 15, who failed a pre-games drug test has been cleared to continue competing in the Women’s Single skating event in a ruling by a panel of arbitrators appointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 14 February, 2022. EPA

Kamila Valieva speaks to her coach Eteri Tutberidze during a practice session at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. EPA

An ad-hoc committee set up by the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined not to uphold the provisional suspension, citing “exceptional circumstances”. EPA

Figure skater Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee takes a fall during a practice session. EPA

Essentially, CAS ruled that because Kamila Valieva’s age makes her a ‘protected person’ under the World Anti-Doping Code. EPA

Kamila Valieva, 15, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts after the women's team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, February 7, 2022, in Beijing. AP

Kamila Valieva attends a training session on February 11, 2022 prior the Figure Skating Event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. AFP

Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee during training. Reuters

Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts in the women's team free skate program. AP

Tearful Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva said she was "tired emotionally" after days of scandal over her failed doping test, as the teenager prepares to compete in the women's singles event at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday.

Valieva was favourite for gold going into the Beijing Games, but a week into them it emerged she had tested positive in December for the banned substance trimetazidine, which boosts endurance.

"These last few days have been very difficult for me," the 15-year-old told Russian television on Monday night.

Earlier that day, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that she could carry on competing in Beijing despite the positive test. But if she wins a singles medal, the International Olympic Committee says there will be no medal ceremony.

"I am happy but at the same time tired emotionally," Valieva said.

Starting to cry, she added: "These are tears of happiness, but also it seems sadness.

"At the same time, I'm of course happy to be at the Olympics and to try and represent my country. I hope I will do my best."

She said the belief in her from fans had been "very important".

"When I open Instagram, I see loads of messages of kindness and faith. I've even seen signs in Moscow saying 'Kamila, we are with you!' It's really nice."

She also said her entourage, who are under scrutiny for any potential role they might have played in the controversy, were supporting her.

"I thought I would be alone," she said. "But the people closest to me will never let me down."