Olympic medalist Adam Rippon is confident in the innocence of Kamila Valiyeva

American figure skater Adam Rippon, who became the bronze medalist in the team event at the 2018 Olympics, spoke about the positive doping test of Kamila Valieva. “The saddest thing about this story is that most of all we would like to be happy for Kamila”, - Rippon is quoted as saying in an NPR interview with Business Insider. - The way she skated at these competitions is admirable. I am one of her main fans, I am delighted with what I saw. And it was all ruined. They ruined it both for her and for us fans of her incredible talent". By the pronoun “they”, Rippon means the figure skater’s adult environment: “Valiyeva is 15 years old. I doubt very much that she knowingly took drugs. She is underage. The adults let her down".

Rippon elaborated on this point in a tweet: “The IOC ban on Russia from the Olympics was NOT Strict Enough. I believe ROC athletes do what they are told to please their coaches and federations. I blame those in power. Failures are on their conscience".

Returning to the topic of Valieva, Rippon writes: “Her athletic performance is more important to them than her health and well-being. To hell with them. They ruined this Olympic experience for HER and for ALL here. The ROC has failed its athletes miserably and embarrassed itself AGAIN on the world stage. My heart is breaking because of the Russian athletes competing in Beijing: all their achievements in this Olympics will be called into question.