BEIJING – The Kamila Valieva controversy is taking its toll on the patience of Russian skaters.
The ice dancing partner of the daughter of Valieva’s controversial coach tried to shut down questions about the Olympic doping scandal four times in a 1 ½ minute interview with journalists Saturday night – after ending an interview with the wire services a few minutes earlier.
ROC skater Gleb Smolkin did his best to shield his 19-year-old partner Diana Davis, the Detroit-based daughter of Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, from any scrutiny in the wake of Valieva’s positive drug test.