(Beijing Winter Olympics) Why is there "one more person" in figure skating?
China News Agency, Beijing, February 16th: Why is there "one more person" in figure skating?
China News Agency reporter Zhang Su
In the women's single skating short program in the individual figure skating competition, 30 players appeared, and the top 24 entered the free skating stage to decide the outcome.
This is the usual practice in the international arena.
However, there is one more person in the free skating list for the figure skating women's singles at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
According to the IOC, the ISU will allow the top 25 skaters in the short program if the Russian Olympic team figure skater Kamila Valiyeva ranks in the top 24 in the women's singles short program. Participate in the free skating competition on the 17th.
On February 15, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics figure skating women's single skating short program competition was held at the Capital Gymnasium.
The picture shows the Russian Olympic Committee player Kamila Valieva in the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
On the evening of the 15th, Valieva scored 82.16 points in the short program.
Although this result is far from the 90.18 points she achieved in the short program of the team competition a few days ago, it is still enough for her to lead.
In the past few days, Valieva, known as the "genius girl", has experienced ups and downs in Beijing.
First, she made great contributions to the Russian Olympic team winning the team gold medal. For a time, she was surrounded by countless praises.
Guess soon became involved in doping problems. Officials said that the test sample she submitted at the end of last year was positive, and the banned substance tested was trimetazidine.
On February 14, the day before the short individual competition, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport announced that it had rejected the appeals of the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Skating Federation, and decided to allow Valieva to continue to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics. .
It should be noted that the tribunal did not rule on the merits of the case, nor did it examine the legal consequences related to the results of the Beijing Winter Olympics figure skating team competition, as "these issues will be examined in other proceedings."
On February 15, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics figure skating women's single skating short program competition was held at the Capital Gymnasium.
The picture shows the Russian Olympic Committee team player Kamila Valiyeva warming up before the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
The parties then responded.
Among them, the International Olympic Committee, in addition to requiring "one more person" in the promotion list, also stated that the award ceremony for the figure skating team competition will not be held during the current Winter Olympics.
In addition, if Valieva wins the top 3 in women's singles, the women's singles award ceremony will not be held during this period.
Valieva, who is in the "storm", rarely speaks publicly. She has neither attended press conferences nor almost never stopped in the mixed interview area.
People can only know from the limited reports from the Russian media that the girl under the age of 16 said to herself that the past week has been very difficult and her emotions have nowhere to release. After learning of the final verdict, she could not help but shed tears of happiness, "It's very difficult. , but this is a stage I have to go through."
In fact, this "difficult phase" continues.
The attitudes of supporters and opponents are very different.
On the evening of the 15th, when Valieva ended the game and shed tears on the ice rink, some people stood up and applauded, and some protested in silence.
On February 15, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics figure skating women's single skating short program competition was held at the Capital Gymnasium.
The picture shows the Russian Olympic Committee player Kamila Valieva (center) waiting for the score after the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
More than one competitor was asked about it.
After the short program, Japanese player Sakamoto Hanaori, who was temporarily ranked third, was asked at a press conference if he sympathized with Valieva.
"Should I feel sorry for her? I don't think so," Sakamoto replied.
The disappointment of American player Chen Kaiwen for helping the team to win the team silver medal but not attending the award ceremony is beyond words.
"I'm looking forward to sharing that moment with my teammates on the podium and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so. So, absolutely, absolutely disappointing," she said.
Swedish figure skating woman Josephine Tayegaard said she hoped the investigation staff would do their due diligence, and "time will tell."
The tense atmosphere on the field was transmitted to the outside, and more people "choose sides".
For example, the figure skating women's singles champion Zagitova and runner-up Medvedeva at the last Winter Olympics held banners together to publicly express their support for the younger generation.
A group of famous figure skating players, led by the Vancouver Winter Olympics figure skating women's singles champion Kim Yuna, bluntly stated on social media that "athletes who violate the doping regulations should not participate", or said in the commentary of the competition, "This will make the Winter Olympics a disgrace. "Shadow", publicly criticizing Valieva's participation in the competition.
The free skating competition is imminent. On the 16th, the International Olympic Committee stated that "Valiyeva's results in the Winter Olympics will be regarded as preliminary results and subject to further investigation"; the International Skating Union said that if she wins a medal, she can Participate in the post-race performance skate.
This season's short program, Valieva performed "The Girl Chasing the Butterfly".
According to her self-report, figure skating is like "a butterfly falling on her hand". The butterfly is a symbol of her dream. She catches it and lets it go, "as if I realized my dream and gained peace."
Right now, whether it's her or the ice rink, it will take time to return to peace.
(Finish)