Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva found herself involved in a controversy at the 2022 Winter Olympics when she failed a pre-Games drug test. The IOC announced that the Russian figure skater wouldn't receive a medal ceremony if she placed within the top-three skaters in the women' individual event. Valieva ended up placing fourth after a mistake-filled skating portion and was seen being sternly talked to by her coach following the event. IOC president Thomas Bach blasted Valieva's entourage following her disappointing performance at the Winter Olympics, via ESPN.

“When I afterwards saw how she was received by her closest entourage, with such, what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this,” Bach said at a news conference on Friday. “Rather than giving her comfort, rather than to try to help her, you could feel this chilling atmosphere, this distance.”

The IOC president blasted Kamila Valieva's entourage for their “tremendous coldness” towards the young figure skater after her subpar performance at the Winter Olympics. Bach said it was “chilling” to see the Russian figure skater's entourage be so distant to her rather than comforting her, as she was visibly upset.

Valieva's coach responded to the IOC leader's criticism, saying that toughness from coaches helps propel athletes' performance in elite sports. Tough coaching certainly goes a long way, though Valieva had just struggled mightily after the microscope was already squarely focused on her, and she likely would have benefited from perhaps a more nurturing approach in that moment.

Kamila Valieva's time at the 2022 Winter Olympics will certainly continue to be scrutinized, especially after these comments from the IOC.