When Russian figure skating phenom Kamila Valieva took to the ice Tuesday to compete in the women's short program, she did what we've seen her do all year. In just under three minutes, she delivered a mesmerizing performance—aside from a shaky landing on her triple axel, the skill that has troubled her of late—in a remarkable display of talent and artistry that put her safely in the lead going into Thursday's free skate.
Sadly, the performance was nothing to celebrate. Instead of being a breakout competition for figure skating's brightest star, Valieva's appearance in Beijing has turned into a travesty thanks to the adults who are charged with her care and the institutions that have failed once again to prevent systemic doping.