Winter Olympics LIVE: Kamila Valieva returns in figure skating as Team GB beat Sweden in curling
Follow latest updates from Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva held back tears after she returned to the Winter Olympics ice for the women’s short programme, despite a court ruling that she tested positive for a banned substance. The 15-year-old is still subject to disciplinary procedures but has been allowed to compete by a panel of three arbitrators appointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as Russia tries to land a clean sweep of medals in the event. If she wins the event, for which she is an overwhelming favourite, the IOC has said she will not be honoured in a medal ceremony until an investigation into the doping allegations is complete. She leads the field after the first of two skates.
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson crashed on their penultimate run of the two-man bobsleigh. Hall’s sled overturned towards the end of the run and they slid over the finish line on their side, but both emerged apparently unscathed. The Britons had started the final day of competition in 11th place after the first two runs, 1.36 seconds off the lead.
Elsewhere, China’s Eileen Gu, who won gold last week in big air, claimed silver in the women’s freeski slopestyle. Team GB’s wait for a medal goes on, though, as Kirsty Muir and Katie Summerhayes finished eighth and ninth respectively. Follow live coverage from the Winter Olympics below:
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Winter Olympics: Britain crash out of 2-man bobsleigh
Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson crashed out of the 2-man bobsleigh after attempting to hold onto the bronze medal in their third run.
The pair had held the third place but team Germany looked strong and so the British duo tried everything to claim a medal. And while in pursuit of a perfect run, their sled toppled after riding up against the wall at a speed of 134.7 kmph (83.7mph), ending their hopes.
The pair looked shaken and disappointed but were able to walk away seemingly without injury.
Germany took a 1, 2, 3 in the event with Britain ending up in 11th. Read the full story:
Great Britain crash out of two-man bobsleigh at Winter Olympics
Team GB were pushing hard at speeds of more than 130 kmph and in need of a perfect run to move into contention for a bronze at Beijing 2022
Valieva in gold medal position
And there we have it, the 15-year-old Kamila Valieva has qualified for the free skate in the gold medal position.
Usually 24 skaters qualify for the free skate but due to the controversy surrounding her failed drug test and its ongoing investigation, an extra skater has qualified.
It was an emotional skate for the ROC teenager who was two points clear at the end of today’s event. Her compatriots Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova hold silver and bronze currently.
Britain’s only competitor, Natasha McKay, finished 28th and will not continue.
Alexandra Trusova falls in figure skating
While the majority of expectation fell on Valieva’s shoulders in the figure skating today, eyes also fell on Alexandra Trusova who was thought to be one of the Russian’s main competitors.
However, she fell after a triple axel in the early stages of her routine. The results came in on her run, which was perfect after the fall, just moments ago and she sits in third - eight points behind her Russian rival.
The ROC’s Anna Shcherbakova was then up and she did well but not enough to catch her compatriot. She claimed second, two points behind Valieva.
One skater left to go, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, but today seems to be Valieva’s
Winter Olympics: Russian speed skater Kamila Valieva holds back tears on her return to the ice
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Valieva has taken a significant lead in the figure skating and it anticipated to hold it in the qualification event. There are two athletes left to skate and we’ll bring you the results as soon as their in.
Elsewhere, Great Britain are playing Sweden in the men’s curling round robin. Britain currently lead 5-3 after seven ends but with three ends remaining anything could happen.
And finally, Britain’s Brad Hall is leading the fourth heat in the 2-man bobsleigh.
Valieva takes big lead
Valieva takes an enormous lead at the top of the standings with a score of 82.16. She still looks a little emotional as she hears the judges’ verdict read aloud. That leaves her in pole position for gold - although whether that medal is ever awarded remains a whole other matter entirely.
Valieva finishes run to applause
Valieva finishes her run to another round of applause. After that early mistake on the triple axel, the remainder of her short programme was faultless. The teenager appears to be trying to hold back tears at the end of the run.
Valieva begins her short programme run
Another big cheer goes up as Valieva begins her final warm-up.
She slightly falters on her take-off for the triple axel at the start of her routine but the next series of landings are pinpoint.
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