MOSCOW, February 18, Pavel Levkovich. Head coach of the Russian national synchronized swimming team Tatyana Pokrovskaya supported coach Eteri Tutberidze after the statements of the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach about her harsh treatment of the Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. During a briefing on Friday, the head of the IOC expressed bewilderment at how coldly the coaches welcomed the figure skater Valieva after her free program at the Olympics in Pekin. He added that such an appeal raises doubts about the bright future of the athlete. Bach also said that if facts of ill-treatment of the perpetrators are found in the Valieva case, the perpetrators will face a very severe punishment. «Instead of congratulating Tutberdize, a wave of criticism swept over her, is it possible? She did not hit Valieva and did not do something rude. This is a showdown of the coach and student, in the format of remarks. When it was necessary to support Valiev, the IOC was silent, and now what? If it were not for CAS, Kamila would not have participated at all. I am completely on the side of Tutberidze, she and her staff are great fellows. It is only thanks to them that we have gold medals along with silver. On behalf of all synchronized swimming, I want to congratulate the coaches and girls,» Pokrovskaya said. The head coach of the Russian synchronized swimming team also supported Kamila Valieva, who took fourth place after an unsuccessful free program. “She still has everything ahead. Camila has a very strong character and a lot of talent, excellent coaches are next to her. I think that she will still show herself and show her best side,” the specialist added.
