Kremlin backing Valieva in doping row

The Kremlin said Friday it was fully behind Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, whose Olympic gold medal hangs in the balance after she failed a doping test.

"We boundlessly and fully support Kamila Valieva and call on everyone to support her," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"And we say to Kamila: don't hide your face. You are a Russian -- perform and defeat everybody," Peskov added.

The IOC and the International Skating Union are appealing against Russia's decision to allow Valieva to continue competing in Beijing after the 15-year-old tested positive in December for trimetazidine -- a metabolic agent that is prescribed for the treatment of angina and vertigo. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency because it can increase blood flow efficiency and help endurance.

Valieva led the Russian team to gold in the team event with landing a historic quad jump.