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Two-time Latvian champion Sofja Stepchenko has accused her former coaches Raimo Reinsala and Olga Kovalkova of violence. The State Police has started criminal proceedings.
“We have publicly available information at our disposal. We have not received news about active criminal or administrative processes from law enforcement authorities,” explained LOK Communications Director Ruta Millere Celmiņa.
Kovalkova will be part of the Latvian delegation as Kulish’s coach.
“In the process of approving the composition of the Olympic delegation, the IOC takes into account and approves or disapproves the application of the relevant national federation. Kovalkova is the coach of Fedir Kuliš, therefore there are no reasonable doubts about her need to support the particular athlete. We have not received any complaints from Kulis about cooperation with this coach. She does not work with other athletes in these Olympic Games,” says the LOK.
Kovalkova told the LETA agency that there was a defamation campaign against her. The coaches reject all the insults directed at them.
“During the games, the LOK ensures administrative processes, therefore it also carefully follows and monitors the well-being of the athletes,” explains the LOK.
Reinsalu is also Kuliš’s coach, but he will be part of another country’s delegation at the upcoming Olympic Games.
