Yarnold anger at Russian rival over doping
Lizzy Yarnold claims she can’t look Russian rival Elena Nikitina in the eye after allegations of doping – and doesn’t want her here in South Korea.
Nikitina was third behind Yarnold at Sochi 2014 but was stripped of her bronze medal after she was implicated in the Russian doping scandal. She was banned then reinstated by her sport’s world governing body and will find out today whether the International Olympic Committee’s decision to exclude her stands.
She claims evidence was not sufficient and is currently waiting in a nearby hotel
Yarnold said: “I enjoyed speaking with her in the past but if I see Elena now I look at the floor and carry on.
“I’ve worked too hard to be here to allow someone else to draw me into a situation that I don’t want to be in. My emotional state with certain Russian athletes is to have no emotion. It has been really challenging over the last few years knowing that there are doping issues in our sport.
“I absolutely believe in fair and clean competition and we will just have to see what the authorities decide.
“I believe the IOC were correct in not inviting them to compete,” added Yarnold, who will carry the British flag at today’s opening ceremony.
Yarnold has been an outspoken critic of Russian athletes, refusing to compete in last year’s World Championship unless it was switched from Sochi.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to -23°C for today’s opening ceremony, with Pyeongchang well known for its bitter winters. When a test event was held in the Olympic Stadium – which has no roof – seven people were treated for hypothermia.
Heaters have been installed and special packs will be distributed to spectators including blankets and coats. But a plan to offer hot drinks was overruled by sponsors Cocacola.
But Yarnold insisted: “I’m a winter sports athlete, I love the cold. We’re really good at wearing layers and the team have given us a big coat.” l Watch the opening ceremony live on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player at 10.30am. Don’t miss a moment of the Olympic Winter Games on Eurosport and Eurosport Player. Go to www.eurosport.co.uk