Kamila Valieva took to the ice in Beijing for training on Thursday as Russian and Olympic officials refused to comment on speculation that the 15-year-old figure skating star had failed a doping test.
Valieva was seen going through her routine at a practice rink in the Chinese capital alongside teammate Alexandra Trusova and under the supervision of coach Eteri Tutberidze.
Valieva has found herself at the center of a doping row just days after helping the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to the figure skating team title in Beijing.
After the medal ceremony for the event was delayed on Tuesday, reports emerged that a “legal issue” was being investigated involving a member of the Russian team.
Russian outlet RBC, citing a source, said that Valieva had tested positive for minimum traces of banned substance Trimetazidine, which is used to treat chest pain.
Some reports had claimed that Valieva – who is European and Russian champion and hotly tipped for the gold medal in the ladies’ singles event starting on Tuesday – would be suspended from the Games.
READ MORE: Valieva allegedly at center of Olympics legal case over ‘cardiac drug’ – reports
However, Russian figure skating spokeswoman Olga Ermolina denied those claims, telling journalists “she is not suspended.”
Valieva’s coach Tutberidze replied in similar fashion when asked about the situation on Thursday, saying she doesn’t deal with “gossip.”