Is saying how badly I felt for Kamila Valieva, political??
Feb 19, 2022 12:18:18 #
JeffL wrote:
This was a disgrace on several levels. According t... (show quote)
100% correct - she used a banned substance (whoever is at fault doesn't change the rules) and should never have been on the ice in the first place... and allowing her to skate to avoid "irreparable harm" if she didn't is patently absurd and no reason to bend or break the rules... I feel terrible for her and the abuse she has endured, but "hurt feelings" are not a valid reason to make exceptions to the rules that everyone knows and also knows the consequences of breaking them...
Feb 19, 2022 12:37:44 #
While I see the point of her being innocent?, if allowed as a reason, what about the others who competed, what about fair to them?
Feb 19, 2022 12:40:13 #
Burkley
Loc: Park City
chasgroh wrote:
Nope, totally agree, Mark. Russia, clean up your act!
I wouldn’t hold your breath. Doping is completely institutionalized in Russia and China. Although it is a worldwide curse, at least in western democracies, doping is tepidly illegal. Miriam Jones won 5 golds but gave them up and went to prison.
Just looking at the physique on the lead in photo, you can see a definition to her deltoids and trapezius muscles that are unnatural, particularly for a 15 yr old girl. Her legs also show a bulk and definition that is not typical. There is a reason that suddenly the Russian skaters are doing quads, and it is not some magical training advancements. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the anger of her coach was boiling over frustration that they both got caught doping. The coach should get a lifetime ban.
Feb 19, 2022 12:57:38 #
Unfortunately, I did not watch the figure skating competition, but have seen some of the after comments. At 15, she put a lot on the line for her country. However, the country, coaches and the committee should provide a bit more guidance and protection for young people like her. But then, it could be the country more so than the others.
Feb 19, 2022 13:27:27 #
You are on the money Mark. I have rarely ever seen anything so painful to watch, this poor poor kid was delibertly left to defend herself alone and abused by her advisers and coaches for the sake of the state. I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it. This whole thing is exactly the opposite of what the olympics is supposed to stand for.
Feb 19, 2022 14:04:13 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
CaltechNerd wrote:
As above, you're on target Mark. Yes, her coach and the Russian Olympic Committee. But also the drug court that went against the rules because keeping her out might be bad for her mental health. WOW, did that ever blow up in the poor child's face!
Agree, especially with the last 2 sentences.
Feb 19, 2022 14:43:30 #
Feb 19, 2022 14:44:26 #
Wuligal
Loc: Slippery Rock, Pa.
JBRIII wrote:
Not disagreeing, but maybe the problem isn't age, ... (show quote)
Age is but one factor, remember the Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding debacle in 1994? Love of the sport has very little to do with it either or a double axel on a country pond would be enough......
Feb 19, 2022 16:09:36 #
Mark, you are 100% correct. This is called exploitation and has nothing to do with the ORIGINAL spirit of the Olympics. Simply shameful.
WJH
WJH
Feb 19, 2022 16:28:53 #
There is such a huge contrast in how Russia (and China) practically farm their elite athletes to how we in the west produce our athletes. Here it is much more of a story of a close-knit family and a kid with some talent and a big dream.
Feb 19, 2022 16:46:41 #
Mark, I share the same feelings about this topic. Additionally, it was truly shameful the way her coaches treated her after her performance. My own feelings are that those adults associated with her training and well-being should be barred from future competition as well as the ROC, at leat until it is proven that they have cleaned up their act and are willing to abide by the Olympic standards for competitors.
Feb 19, 2022 17:09:37 #
I wish to thank everyone who replied to my post. I agree with most comments.
More importantly, I hope Kamila is feeling better. I think the entire "caring" world wishes her well.
It would be nice if I (we) were able to send her the replies.
You are magnificent, Kamila! It is shameful you have been exploited and used.
Mark
More importantly, I hope Kamila is feeling better. I think the entire "caring" world wishes her well.
It would be nice if I (we) were able to send her the replies.
You are magnificent, Kamila! It is shameful you have been exploited and used.
Mark
Feb 19, 2022 18:38:58 #
I love how the headline of the story is “…she took a banned substance.” A Russian Olympic athlete of her age is not putting anything in her mouth unless someone has told her to, whether it be a cookie or a pill.
Feb 19, 2022 18:58:42 #
Feb 19, 2022 19:04:16 #
She was abused by her coaches and the adults around her…and they should be banned for life. However…even at 15 she has some real odor the problem. Elite 15 year old athletes have grown up in the spotlight and are more mature and knowledgeable than your average 15 year old…so the likelihood that she was clueless about what she was taking seems pretty small. The IOC and the CAS screwed the pooch on this one as well…declaring her completely not responsible is a crock.
This was her only chance at the Olympics…once she gets the teenage growth spurt and finishes puberty her ability to do the quad jumps will essentially disappear…figure scatters have very low body fat generally and that delays the onset of full puberty to some extent. Sad to push young girls that hard and do them so wrong,..the adults need to be forced to do better.
Not in the Russian DNA though…they’ve been cheating the system since at least the 70’s. And the crock sham allowing them to compete under an ‘Olympic’ team instead of the Russian flag is pure political pandering.
This was her only chance at the Olympics…once she gets the teenage growth spurt and finishes puberty her ability to do the quad jumps will essentially disappear…figure scatters have very low body fat generally and that delays the onset of full puberty to some extent. Sad to push young girls that hard and do them so wrong,..the adults need to be forced to do better.
Not in the Russian DNA though…they’ve been cheating the system since at least the 70’s. And the crock sham allowing them to compete under an ‘Olympic’ team instead of the Russian flag is pure political pandering.
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