"Kabaeva's replacement?" Putin appeared at the opening of the tournament for the first time with his "new mistress". Photo

The Russian president attended the opening ceremony of the Future Games tournament in Kazan with figure skater Kamila Valieva. The 17-year-old athlete sat to the left of the Kremlin dictator.

The digital tournament "Games of the Future" will take place from February 21 to March 3. The sports program includes competitions in 21 disciplines at 10 venues in Kazan and Sochi.

In the comments, fans immediately called Valieva a replacement for Alina Kabaeva. At one time, the 2004 Athens Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics won the unofficial title of Putin's mistress.

Many Russian users call it a disgrace that the first face of the state invited an athlete who was officially caught doping.

"What a shame. Doping is being promoted at the state level. In what other country does a doping athlete open a competition with the president in such a public way? What an example she sets for the younger generation. I wouldn't be surprised if she will soon be sitting in the Duma with another doping player, Alina. Or maybe instead..." users write.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Valieva's analysis at the 2022 Olympics revealed a banned substance trimethazidine, which postponed the awarding of the winners of the Games' team competitions.

At the end of January, CAS disqualified Valieva for four years due to anti-doping rule violations. The term of the dismissal is counted from December 25, 2021, and her results have been annulled since that date.

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