IOC President Thomas Bach watched the women’s individual figure skating competition on television Thursday and reacted like much of the world.
With shock. With concern. With plenty of rage.
A “very sad story,” he said of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. The 15-year-old gold medal favorite, who had tested positive for a banned substance yet was cleared to compete anyway, crumbled under the enormous pressure. She finished fourth before breaking down emotionally.
“I was very, very disturbed,” Bach said.
Bach tore into the coaches, officials and doctors surrounding Valieva — her so-called “entourage” in Olympic parlance — and promised an inquiry into their behavior.