IOC president fires rare shots at Russians, after Olympic skating debacle
Bach was directly critical of Valieva’s entourage, saying they showed “enormous coldness, it was chilling to see that”.
The IOC leader did not mention Eteri Tutberidzealthough he clearly targeted the preeminent coach of Russia’s dominant women’s figure skating program.
Bach’s words led him into a testy exchange with a Russian journalist. Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Bach “does not like the tenacity of our coaches, but everyone knows that in elite sports the tenacity of the coach is the key student victories.
The endless Olympic story of the unethical behavior of Russian sports officials casts a shadow over a fifth consecutive games in Bach’s nine years as president. Many IOC Critics Say Valieva’s Doping Scandal Is a Direct Result of Russia flouting the rules for decades without real punishment of the IOC.
Olympic sports have experienced a decade of Russian doping and cover-up after the local team was caught cheating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a personal project of Putin. For much of this period, the IOC and Bach made excuses for lighter punishments than intended.
Even in Beijing, Russia is technically banned from its third consecutive Games, but hundreds of Russian athletes are competing in their traditional colors with “Russian Olympic Committee” uniforms and flags. And they win medals – more than any country other than Norway.
The Bach-led IOC has consistently tried to keep Russia at the Games, citing the need to let a new generation of “clean athletes” compete as a reason not to ban Russia outright.
“This lack of leadership perpetuates the abuse of athletes and exposes the lack of oversight,” Rob Koehler of activist group Global Athlete said Friday.
The global reaction to the The tears of Russian teenage skaters after women’s figure skating results seemed to change the tone of the CIO. Anna Shcherbakova won gold, Alexandra Trusova won silver and Valieva stumbled on the medals in fourth.
Trusova and Valieva sobbed as the sheet music was read, Trusova talked about retiring at 17, and viewers around the world wondered how young people could be under such pressure.
The mental health of athletes and the protection of young women in sport are key responsibilities for sports bodies, and Bach had to respond.
His attack on the entourage did not address the broader culture that has helped Tutberidze thrive, even as his athletes retire as teenagers and suffer serious injuries. She is the International Skating Union Coach of the Year and the most powerful figure in Russian skating.
Bach also lamented Beijing’s decision to let Valieva skate, pending a full doping investigation. Over the years, Bach championed rulings and decisions that allowed Russian athletes to continue to compete.
“The IOC always blames everyone and never accepts responsibility,” Koehler said.