Ex-Russian Olympic coach returns to spotlight at 2026 Winter Games despite doping shadow

The Russian fig skating manager astatine the bosom of the doping ungraded that engulfed then–15-year-old Kamila Valieva astatine the 2022 Winter Games is making her instrumentality astatine Milan Cortina.

Eteri Tutberidze, who coached Valieva erstwhile it was revealed successful Beijing that she had tested affirmative for the banned substance trimetazidine, returned to the Olympic country this week for Georgia arsenic European champion Nika Egadze’s coach.

Russian fig skater Kamila Valieva competes astatine the Russian Jumping Championships successful Moscow, Russia, connected Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Tutberidze, contempt planetary outcry due to the fact that Valieva was a insignificant astatine the time, was not formally sanctioned oregon disciplined for the incident. Still, World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka expressed his disappointment that she would beryllium progressive successful this year’s Games. 

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"It’s not our determination the manager is here," Banka said Thursday. "The probe recovered nary grounds that this peculiar idiosyncratic was engaged successful this doping process, truthful there’s nary ineligible ground to exclude her from the beingness during the Olympic Games."

"But of course, if you inquire maine personally astir my feelings," helium continued, "I don’t consciousness comfy with her beingness present successful the Olympic Games, for sure."

Valieva, 19, submitted a illustration successful December 2021 during the Russian National Championships, which came backmost affirmative the pursuing February. The ungraded erupted aft Valieva helped the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) triumph golden successful the squad lawsuit aft she became the archetypal pistillate successful contention to onshore a quadruple jump. 

Kamila Valieva of Team ROC reacts portion waiting for her people with choreographer Daniil Gleikhengauz (right) and manager Eteri Tutberidze (left) aft the women’s azygous skating escaped skate connected Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games astatine Capital Indoor Stadium successful Beijing, China, connected Feb. 17, 2022. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

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She was capable to proceed the contention arsenic the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) weighed in. Valieva was fixed a four-year ban, which expired this past December. She was incapable to suffice for Milan Cortina due to the fact that she could not vie successful qualifying events during her ban.  

Russian skater Adeliia Petrosian is alternatively competing for the ROC this twelvemonth and is simply a golden medal contender successful the women’s idiosyncratic category. She, too, has been coached by Tutberidze for years.

Tutberidze’s daughter, Diana Davis, is besides competing successful the Winter Olympics for Georgia successful the crystal creation category. 

Eteri Tutberidze during signifier for the ISU European Figure Skating Championships astatine Utilita Arena successful Sheffield, connected Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

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The fig skating competitions statesman Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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