Kamila Valieva, who was the female lead in the short women’s program, walked off Olympic ice looking tearful.

These were not tears of joy.

At the centre of this latest Olympic doping scandal is a 15-year old Russian dynamo. The immense pressure and scrutiny placed on her appeared to have reached a tipping point Tuesday evening. Even though Valieva put in an extraordinary performance, it was difficult for her to keep herself together as she waited for her scores.

As she aims to sweep Russia, her score was 82.16, eight more than her world record.

Valieva didn’t speak, but instead walked through silence the mix zone for reporters.

Shcherbakova (the reigning world champion) was second with 80.60 after an impeccable program. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto won the “Quad Squad”, scoring 79.89 points. Trusova was fourth, with 74.60. Trusova fell with her first triple axel.

All three Russian ladies are coached and supervised by Eteri Tutberidze. Thursday night is the free skate.