IOC offered US skaters torches instead of medals after Valieva saga
IOC president Thomas Bach offered US figure skaters Olympic torches as holdover gifts while they await a resolution of the Russian doping case that is preventing them from receiving their silver medals, the Associated Press has learned.
Two people familiar with the events told AP that Bach, in a private meeting with the skaters in Beijing, reiterated the IOC stance that no medals ceremonies would be held for events involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. The IOC has not yet responded to comments on the matter.
Men’s champion Nathan Chen and the US finished runner-up to Russia in the team event last week, but the outcome was quickly thrown into chaos when reports surfaced that Valieva had used a banned medication.
The court of arbitration for sport ruled Valieva was still eligible to compete in this week’s women’s event while her case wound through the anti-doping system. That case will ultimately determine the status of the medals. Valieva led the women’s contest after the short program.
The nine-person US team stands to at least get silver but could end up with the gold if Valieva is disqualified. The skaters had already received boxes for storing their medals when they learned the ceremony was off.
Sources told AP that the torches used during the traditional Olympic flame relay had already been given to team staff to be presented later to the athletes.
After the Cas decision, US Olympic and Paralympic CEO Sarah Hirshland said the federation was “disappointed by the message this decision sends” and suggested athletes were denied the confidence of knowing they competed on a level playing field.