The uproar has been great around the Russian 15-year-old Kamila Valieva since she tested positive for doping last week.
Despite this, the figure skater started when the short program began on Tuesday.
She basically completed the program flawlessly and broke down in tears immediately afterwards.
Valieva was awarded 82.16 points and is thus in the lead before the freestyle.
The Russian has tested positive for the banned heart medicine trimetzadin and is not free from doping suspicions, but has been allowed to compete for the time being.
She can later be convicted of doping and have her Olympic results canceled.
The IOC also refuses to organize both flower and medal ceremonies if the Russian favorite takes a new medal in the individual competition.
The Swede Josefin Taljegård did not manage to advance to Thursday's freestyle but finished in 26th place.
The top 25 went on to the freestyle.