IOC President Slams ‘Tremendous Coldness’ Toward Kamila Valieva By Her Coaches

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he was “very very disturbed” watching Russian Olympic Committee figure skater Kamila Valieva’s competition Thursday, adding that he felt discomfort over how the teenager, who is under investigation for a positive drug test, was treated by her coaches and support staff.

“You could feel this immense stress, maybe she would’ve preferred to leave the ice,” Bach told reporters Friday in Beijing. “When I afterwards saw how she was received by her closest entourage, with what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this rather than to give her comfort and try to help her.”