Journalist Igor Rabiner shared his opinion on the performance of Russian figure skaters in the short program at the 2022 Olympics, and also drew a parallel between Kamila Valieva and biathlete Eduard Latypov.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed Valieva to compete in the individual tournament. Before that, following the skating of a 15-year-old figure skater in a team competition, it became known regarding her positive doping test, passed in December. Today Valieva won the short program.
Latypov closed the men’s biathlon relay today. The Russian team was leading by a minute before the last stand. Eduard drove 2 penalty loops at the last shooting and the team became a bronze medalist.
“How I root for Valieva – like, probably, almost all people who have a heart. It doesn’t matter what comes following Olympics – this is a completely different topic. At the moment, only the here and now matters. And the decision of the IOC not to have a medal ceremony if Camila got on the podium made these feelings even stronger.
What a young woman she is. Landing on two legs from the axel is sheer nonsense compared to everything that Camila has experienced in recent days. And it was the first jump. I grabbed my head – really? … No, I pulled myself together and continued to be inspired and unmistakable.
Without understanding the intricacies of figure skating, I will not talk regarding jumps, spins and so on with a smart (but actually stupid) look. I can only say one thing – in a wild situation for any adult, she jumped a quad (or maybe a quintuple) over herself. Above a 15-year-old schoolgirl, looking at whom, the same Latypov should be even more ashamed.
And the first place following the short program – Camila as a reward. God forbid to continue in the same way in the free program.
But following all, it was psychologically difficult for our other two girls, Trusova and Shcherbakova.
Firstly, the echo of this whole story reached them: Kamila was nearby, Tutberidze was nearby. Secondly, and this, perhaps even more importantly, an additional psychological burden fell on them – at the edge of their consciousness, the thought might not help but loom that if Camila becomes a champion, and then gold (God forbid, of course, but we all understand ) will be taken away, then the second one will receive it. It is clear that this will not be the prize won in the competition, and yet, and yet …
Trusova, although she remained fourth behind a very strong Japanese, well done in that she did not crumble following falling from the first jump.
A Shcherbakova – so just in perfect order, skated without a single blot. And such confidence, such sportiness shone on her face – just love-expensive!
She and Tutberidze (it’s interesting how she is internally torn between them, how does she make each consider herself the main one for the coach?) shook their heads when her grades appeared – it seems they were a little dissatisfied.
But the second place with a very small gap from Valieva is a good result. Especially if you remember (tell me if, due to my “knowledge” in the figure, I confuse something), that recently at the European Championships, Anya flunked precisely the short program (following which she performed gorgeously in the free program), and this sometimes forms complexes in athletes. But everything regarding her was great!
In general, following all the hell of the last week, you might expect a lot worse. Camila, Anya and Sasha – good luck and courage in the free program, ”wrote Rabiner.
