Valiyeva’s words to Tutberidze: An effusive thank you that raises doubts

Valiyeva’s words to Tutberidze
An exuberant thank you that raises doubts

By Tobias Nordman

The Olympic Games in Beijing did a great deal of damage to the image of Russian figure skating. The images of the ruthless coach Eteri Tutberidze caused outrage around the world. At home, people have no understanding for this – and build a protective castle.

The earth had hardly calmed down after the Olympic tremors when the Russian figure skating team started to work it up again. The cracks in the bulwark of dominance that appeared with apparent ruthlessness in Beijing last week are now being hastily repaired. However, the question remains: Is there solid craftsmanship or is there a botched construction?

The most urgent works are carried out around Eteri Tutberidze. The empathetic coach is responsible for one of the Olympics’ most gruesome moments. When her student Kamila Valiyeva broke before the eyes of the world in four minutes as the girl, unable to shoulder the burden of a positive doping test, scrambled off the ice desperately for support, the 15-year-old found only her disgruntled coach. accusations instead of understanding.

One of the coldest moments in Olympic history even escalated to the top of the IOC. President Thomas Bach was “disturbed” by the images provided by Tutberidze. The man, who otherwise shuns the critical word like the devil shuns holy water, showed himself surprisingly and suddenly on a stage away from nice talk and a foreign view of the world. Even in Russia, the country Bach is otherwise very fond of, people were amazed by Bach’s movements.

Fascination is greater than fright

In a flash, a protective castle was built around the coach who had been at the forefront of the figure skating world for the past several years. The young athletes from their “Quad Squad” have been dominating the international competitions for eight years. They are going down a path that can safely be called “hell”. After the Olympic ugliness, more and more details about the hard-hitting methods emerged. But success proves Tutberidze right. That’s how they see it.

In response to critical comments about the 47-year-old, the Kremlin said that they knew that a coach’s toughness and rigidity were the key to success. And apparently the fascination for working with the native of Moscow is greater than the fear of the methods. This applies to the 17-year-old new Olympic champion Anna Schtscherbakow. And also for Alexandra Trusova. The Beijing silver medalist, who was also only 17, had returned to her shortly before the games.

As a young girl, it is said that Valiyeva also wanted to join Tutberidze’s legendary “Sambo 70” team. There the “talent of the century” matured into a new superstar. At the age of 15 she was already considered a gold favorite at the Beijing Games. She underpinned this status with a magical freestyle in the team competition. The team of Russian athletes triumphed there, who are still not officially allowed to compete as Russia again at the home Winter Games 2014 in Sochi because of the state doping scandal. And if the positive doping test had not become known after this magical moment, Valiyewa would probably have been hard to beat in the individual.

Disturbing video

But Valieva couldn’t stand the pressure. It was a sporting and emotional collapse with announcement. Why was she expected to do this at all? Why wasn’t this girl guarded and protected? So far no answers have been found. Can you find them in the harshness of the environment? In the scandal, the teenager became an instrument. Her right to start was won. As an explanation for the doping test (a heart drug was detected), a strange story about a sip from Grandpa’s glass was knitted. Valiyeva had to go with everything. If she spoke, then only in Russian media. She was kept out of official rounds. Why? One does not know.

A protective castle is also being built around Valiyeva. Is it more home or prison? One does not know. The Russian Ministry of Defense counters concerns that the 15-year-old’s career will end before it really begins. Just a day after the young athlete’s Olympic horror, a disturbing video emerges. A really little girl is standing on the ice and is suddenly surrounded by six creepy characters. In the following scene, the military gathers in front of her. Russia presents itself as an insurmountable protector. An unmistakable reference to Valiyeva. An unmistakable message to the world. Which has had a completely different meaning since this Monday.

“Absolute Masters”

And when it comes to washing Tutberidze’s international reputation clean again, then Kamila Valiyeva is also needed. With words full of pathos, she writes on Instagram about a photo of herself, Tutberidze and two other supervisors: “You are absolute masters in your business. You not only train, but also teach us to overcome ourselves, which is not only in sports, but also in life. With them by my side I feel safe and able to face any test. Thank you for helping me to be strong.”

honest words? Staged Words? One does not know. Given the moments in Beijing, however, the sentences seem more constructed than convincing. Also against the background that there is an almost inexhaustible pool of talent in Russia. Any mistake can destroy the dreams finally. Many girls came, created magical moments and disappeared. It looks like it has been thrown away. It is unclear what will happen next for Valiyeva, who was greeted with applause by a few dozen fans at Sheremetyevo Airport after her return to Russia. At the end of March, from the 21st to the 27th, the World Cup will take place. Will she start? One does not know – not least because of the pending doping procedure – not (yet).

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