Carolina Kostner: "It's hard, but I will get back on my feet again"

After yesterday's decision by the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping Court, Carolina Kostner has stated that she will continue her defense for as far as possible to clear her name. The world figure skating star has nothing to do with doping and she is sure that the judges who condemned her also realise that. But this is not enough for her. Even a one-day ban from her sport would have been unacceptable.

"I understand that the court acquitted me of the accusations of failing to report my ex-boyfriend. I believe that the judges acknowledge that I have nothing to do with doping but this is not sufficient for me. I feel hurt and what bothers me the most is that my name might remain associated with something that I am totally against. Doping holds health hazards and above all is against all of my sporting principles” Carolina Kostner said.

Doping rules punish not only those who use prohibited substances but also people who aid and abet these offenders. The world figure skating star, bronze medal at 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, 2012 World champion, winner of the 2011 Grand Prix Final, 5 times European champion, would have had no chance of knowing that her ex-boyfriend was using prohibited performance-enhancing substances and as a clean athlete she would have never accepted to cover for him even if she had known. She achieved her results thanks to hard training and total commitment.

"I have no words to describe the disappointment, humiliation and pain that I am feeling right now as an athlete and as a person. Still, I would like to thank all the people who have been supporting me, especially the Italian Ice Sports Federation and its president, Andrea Gios, for the love they showed me and that I need so much right now; it will give me the strength to go on and fight. Having so many people standing by me is very comforting" stated Carolina Kostner. Numerous messages of affection were sent to her, from athletes, celebrities and fans, who have always been very supportive with messages spreading all over the web. "This time it's really hard but I will get back on my feet again as I have done many times in the past” she concluded.