- Kristi Yamaguchi said it's "heartbreaking" that other figure skaters could miss out on their medal ceremony because of Kamila Valieva.
- Valieva was cleared to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics after failing a drug test.
- Yamaguchi said she is "very shocked" by the decision to allow Valieva to compete.
Figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi said it's "heartbreaking" that other figure skaters could miss out on their medal ceremony because of the doping scandal surrounding Russian skater Kamila Valieva.
"Even if one of [The US figure skaters] did make the podium there won't be a medal ceremony so it's just heartbreaking to see so many Olympic moments for other athletes being taken away," Yamaguchi said on the Today show on Tuesday.
Valieva finished first in the singles figure skating short program on Tuesday despite failing a drug test in December. She was initially suspended from the Beijing Games, but was reinstated Monday after an arbitrator's decision, clearing the way for her to compete in the individual events.
Valieva leads the pack heading into Thursday's free skate, but she may not get her gold medal, even if she finishes in first.
The International Olympic Comittee has said there would not be a medal ceremony if she ends up on the podium until Valieva's situation is completely settled.
Yamaguchi said she was "very shocked" by the decision to allow Valieva to compete: "It's just not within the Olympic ideals."
"As an athlete, you take the Olympic oath, and it's all about coming together to compete without doping," she added.
Yamaguchi told Today she was "so concerned" for the other skaters.
"It's their time to be selfish because there is such an incredible cloud and negative energy out there," Yamaguchi said. "You want them to be able to, all of the athletes, focus in on what they can do, but I am sure it's a little disheartening because there is so much uncertainty in the air."
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.