Vladimir Putin addresses controversy around 16-year-old Russian star

Vladimir Putin has weighed in on the controversy that erupted over a teenage Russian star at the Winter Olympics earlier this year.

President Vladimir Putin has defended teenage Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was at the centre of a doping scandal at this year’s Beijing Winter Olympics, saying she could not have won gold “dishonestly”.

“The whole country, figure skating fans all over the world, were especially worried about Kamila,” Putin said during a televised meeting with Russian Olympic medallists at the Kremlin.

“She has absorbed all the most complex elements of figure skating — its flexibility, beauty, power and tenderness … and with her work brought the sport to the height of real art.

“Such perfection cannot be achieved dishonestly, with the help of some additional means, manipulations … we understand and know this very well.”

Putin poses with Valieva in Moscow. (Photo by Mikhail KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Russia's medal-winning athletes from Beijing were invited to a ceremony at the Kremlin. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

At February’s Games Valieva became the first woman to land a quadruple jump in Olympic competition, helping the Russian team secure gold in the team event.

It then emerged that she had earlier tested positive for trimetazidine, a drug used to treat angina but which is banned for athletes because it can boost endurance.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed Valieva — who was 15 at the time but has since turned 16 — to continue competing at the Games, citing her young age, though without clearing her of doping.

In the individual final, Valieva fell several times and finished in fourth place. She was distraught and broke down in tears.

The International Olympic Committee decided not to award any medals for the team event until Valieva’s doping case has been resolved.

Valieva was at the centre of controversy during the Games. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

She was caught in the middle of an ugly storm. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Valieva remained silent during the Games as controversy engulfed her but once they were over, she paid tribute to her fans and coaches Eteri Tutberidze and Daniil Gleikhengauz.

“You are absolute masters at what you do! You not only train, but also teach how to overcome yourself, which helps not only in sport but also in life,” Valieva wrote.

“With you by my side, I feel protected and able to overcome any ordeals. Thank you for helping me to be strong.

“I want to thank everyone who has been with me during this tough period: who was by my side and did not let me lose heart, who sent me supportive messages, who was just thinking of me, who prayed, who believed me and in me.

“Thank you, my fans, my family and friends, my coaches, the entire ROC team, my country, and people from all over the world.

“THANK YOU ALL!!!! I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL!!!! I will always remember this, be grateful to you and skate for you.”