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:
Great Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson crash out of two-man bobsleigh at Winter Olympics
‘Emotionally tired’ Kamila Valieva claims positive test may be due to grandfather’s heart medication
Winter Olympics TV schedule, channels and how to watch
What is the hammer in curling and how does it work? Explaining the rules of Winter Olympics sport
Valieva returns to the ice amid controversy
There are only around 10 minutes remaining until Kamila Valieva returns to the ice amid a storm of controversy in Beijing. The 15-year-old Russian’s inclusion in the event means there will be no medal ceremony if she makes the podium, due to the inevitable legal saga around her failed drugs test on Christmas Day.
Britain’s Natasha McKay, who competed earlier in the schedule this morning, was critical of the Court of Arbitration of Sport’s decision after they overruled the IOC’s provisional suspension of Valieva on Monday.
“It’s not a level-playing field. In figure skating, and every sport, it should be a level playing field. We don’t get the opportunity here, but that’s the decision they’ve made and we have to stick with that,” McKay said.
“I feel sorry for anyone who gets on the podium here. They won’t be able to get that experience of being on the podium.”
Winter Olympics: Great Britain crash out of two-man bobsleigh
Winter Olympics: Men’s curling - Sweden 2-4 Great Britain (5th end)
We're at the end of the 5th and Great Britain are in a spot of bother. Sweden looking for a third red inside Team GB's closest yellow to the button.
There's risk here for Sweden, but down by three, they want the two-point play. It's not worked, they had the chance, but they pick up one point to reduce the deficit down to 4-2.
Great Britain crash out of two-man bobsleigh at Winter Olympics
Great Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson have crashed out of the two-man bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics.
Team GB’s sled completely flipped after Hall came off curve 13 just a little bit late during their third run.
The mistake was forced with the pair out of the running for gold and pushing hard to remain in touch for a bronze medal at Beijing 2022.
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.
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
Winter Olympics: Men’s curling - Sweden 1-3 Great Britain (3rd end)
Sweden eat into GB’s lead a little, Niklas Edin clips Bruce Mouat’s red stone.
Now GB have the hammer for the first time and have a 3-1 lead.
Edin will need to improve his accuracy as currently it’s below 50 per cent.
Hall and Gleeson crash out
Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson needed a perfect run in the two-man bob to keep their faint hopes of a bronze medal alive but, as they push for those precious seconds, the bob flips over! That was a dangerous crash but thankfully both riders are okay.
Team GB face Sweden in curling
Team GB get off to a good start against Sweden, taking a single point lead from the first end as Edin fails to clear Mouat’s stone.
Men’s aerials qualifying
There’s bad news for Team GB in the men’s aerials qualifying as Lloyd Wallace falters on his landing and a score of 71.94 means he won’t make it through to the final.
There is already guaranteed to be somewhat of an upset, though, after world number one and two-time world champion Maxim Burov was also eliminated after a disappointing second run.
Edin aiming to clinch long-sought Olympic gold
Sweden’s skip, Niklas Edin, is considered one of the greatest curlers in history and has already won five world titles. However, Olympic gold has eluded him thus far, with Sweden suffering a shock defeat against the USA in the 2018 final.
Team GB’s curlers face unbeaten Sweden
There’s still plenty of action to keep track of as we near the end of day 11 in Beijing, including Team GB’s curling match against Sweden, which will get underway shortly.
Bruce Mouat’s side can seal their place in the semi-finals with a victory but face very strong opposition from the Swedes, who are led by reigning world champion Niklas Edin.
“I’m very excited to play Sweden,” Mouat said. “They’ve got a lot of Olympic experience and that’s what we play for, the big games and they’ll be one of the biggest.”
“I think we’ve got a really good track record against them this season. We’ve played them quite a few times, so we just need to come out and play well, which I feel like we’re doing.
“They’re doing the same because they’re undefeated so far. We’re going to try to do what we do best, which is playing very technical tap shots, so we’ll see what we get tomorrow.”
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