S. Korea’s Major Broadcasters Keep Silent During Kamila Valieva’s Skate

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s three major TV networks kept an unusual silence during Kamila Valieva’s short program of women’s singles figure skating at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games.

The Russian phenom is currently at the center of a doping controversy.

Commentators from KBS, MBC and SBS kept their silence for three minutes while Valieva competed in the women’s singles short program on Tuesday.

Commentators from KBS and SBS gave no more than short comments on Valieva’s jump mistakes during the highlight video of her performance. MBC commentators gave short comments on her technique throughout the overall silence.

The commentators kept their silence in protest to Valieva’s return to the competition even after she tested positive for a banned medication.

“What’s most frustrating is that she’s hurting other skaters,” said KBS commentator Kwak Min-jeong, a former figure skater.

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