“Given everything out of hands”
Valiewa receives scolding instead of consolation from the trainer
2/17/2022, 5:44 p.m
Kamila Valiewa has just botched her figure skating routine at the Olympic Games and is devastated. Instead of consolation or sympathy, the 15-year-old receives criticism from her trainer. Eteri Tutberidze, known for being merciless, accuses her of not having fought enough.
No consolation, no sympathy, instead harsh criticism: Kamila Valiewa had just come off the ice when she had to be insulted by her trainer Eteri Tutberidze. “Why did you hand everything over like that? Why did you stop fighting? Explain that to me! After the Axel you handed it over.” So it can be heard on TV broadcasts from Tutberidze.
Immediately before, the 15-year-old had handed over a medal at the Olympic Games. After her botched freestyle, the Russian finished fourth. There is massive excitement about the European champion because of a positive doping test, which she obviously did not cope with well. After the short program on Tuesday, Valiyeva had led, but after a few mistakes fell out of the medal ranks.
Valiyeva fought back tears after her botched performance. At first there was no reaction from her. Gold went to Russian world champion Anna Shcherbakowa ahead of teammate Alexandra Trusowa. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan took bronze.
Hailed as a “heroine” in the media
Tutberidze is considered a tough coach. Even without understanding what she was saying to Valiyeva, it was clear that there was no sign of sympathy or consolation. The 47-year-old is nicknamed the “Snow Queen” because she coldly drives her protégés, who are often underage, and is said to be obsessed with success. “I prefer to tell my athletes the truth because they will hear flattery from others,” Tutberidze told Channel One in December.
The Russian press treats Valiyeva much more mildly and nationalistically. “Shcherbakova is the best, Trusova is a genius and Valiyeva is a heroine,” wrote the Russian newspaper “Sport Express”. Valiyeva “did her best, and she can already be called a heroine for stepping onto the ice. But the circumstances she faced had to affect her performance. (…) Unfortunately, the dream not come true by millions.”