PyeongChang women's singles silver medallist 24-year-old Russian star Dmitry Medvedeva has apologized for her "misinformation". According to the Russian media "Sports Express", Medvedeva recently had a conversation with Alexei Yagudin, the gold medalist in men's single skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, about Kamila Valieva, an 18-year-old Russian figure skating talent who was finally suspended for drug abuse during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
PyeongChang Olympic silver medallist in women's figure skating singles and Russia's Dmitry Medvedeva
In a full report previously released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Valieva confessed that the banned substance entered her body through a strawberry dessert, because her grandfather would prepare desserts for her on a cutting board, and at the same time, he would usually crush anti-angina pills containing trimetazidine with a wooden board. However, in a series of investigations, it was not confirmed whether Valieva even had a grandfather, and Yagudin asked: "Where the hell is the grandfather?". To this, Medvedeva, who graduated from the same school as Valieva, replied: "She died after the Beijing Winter Olympics." The unexpected new facts then caused an uproar.
Valieva claimed that she may have violated the prohibition ordinance because of the strawberry dessert
So Medvedeva urgently posted on her social media. "Guys, I'm sorry for sending the wrong message to everyone," she said. On the show "Ice Rink," I said that Camilla's grandfather died. This is not true. I remember that Camila lost a relative. But it was her grandmother. And it was a few years ago. ”
Medvedeva added: "[Valieva's] grandfather is still alive. And I pray for him to live a long and healthy life! I don't know why such a complicated topic is mixed up. I think it's because of lack of sleep and nervousness...... Apologize again to the audience, first and foremost to Camila and her family. ”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport did not accept Valieva's defence
Although the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been announced, her grandfather has become a key figure in Valieva's case. Medvedeva also pleaded with the media "I was wrong, please don't quote this wrong information", but her actions attracted unexpected attention.