"She was used": IOC exposes Putin's backing of 17-year-old figure skater

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), accused Russia of using figure skater Kamila Valiieva, who was caught up in a major doping scandal, for political purposes. In particular, the functionary criticized Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin and his political strategists for inviting the 17-year-old athlete to the opening of the so-called Future Games.

Bach said this in an interview with the Associated Press news agency. According to the Montreal 76 Olympic champion, Russia has demonstrated a complete disregard for international rules by not only using the athlete for campaigning but also by actually supporting her use of doping.

"It's quite difficult to see her next to Putin. She was used for political purposes, as she had to stand next to President Putin at the opening ceremony of the so-called Future Games. By doing so, they are showing disrespect for all global anti-doping rules," Bach said.

Valiieva appeared together with Putin at the stadium in Kazan, after which she was called a "replacement for Kabaieva " in the Kremlin dictator's entourage. Kamila herself became a laughingstock online after she bent over backward in front of the Russian president.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS) found Kamila Valiieva guilty of violating anti-doping rules and disqualified her for four years. In court, the Russian Federation could not even prove the existence of Kamila's grandfather, who allegedly made her a cake containing a banned substance.

At the time of the Beijing Olympics, 60 different substances were found in the skater's blood, who was 15 years old. Valiieva recently made a ridiculous excuse for doping.

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