Former coach Valieva spoke about the figure skater’s doping test

The hype around the problematic doping test of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva and claims about the alleged use of illegal drugs are caused by the fact that people cannot believe in her abilities. This opinion was expressed in an interview with News.ru by the former coach of the athlete Maria Kasumova.

“It reminds me of the Middle Ages, when for the sake of hype, boys with newspapers shouted: “Bearded woman, bearded woman!” she said.

The ex-coach of the figure skater expressed confidence that Valieva never resorted to doping. Kasumova noted that the girl has excellent initial data, which she has not seen in any other figure skater. According to her, Valiyeva does not need any drugs, including for the heart, since she was used to exercise since childhood and could run 25 laps at the stadium. That is why, according to the former coach, people are looking for excuses for her abilities. However, the explanation for Valieva’s success is simple, she emphasized, it is a lot of work on herself and trust in the mentor Eteri Tutberidze.

Kasumova also remembered working with Valieva and stated that she was proud of her pupil. According to her, she always saw her potential, although at the first meeting the skater did not twist double jumps. “They told me why I work with her, what I see in her, because there are girls better than her. I told everyone that everyone does not see what I see. And what she achieved – Olympic gold in the team – goes without saying, ”Kasumova concluded.

On February 9, the Inside The Games portal reported that the doping test of 15-year-old Valieva was questionable. According to media reports, the test was passed before the start of the Olympics – in December 2021. The sample contained traces of the drug trimetazidine, which is used to prevent angina pectoris.