US skaters to get Olympic torches as medals wait: AP sources

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 04:55

Beijing Olympics

US skaters to get Olympic torches as medals wait: AP sources

Posted : 2022-02-17 15:41

Updated : 2022-02-18 08:52

President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, speaks during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4. AP-Yonhap

IOC president Thomas Bach offered U.S. 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 the AP late Wednesday that Bach, in a private meeting with the skaters in Beijing that lasted about two hours, reiterated the IOC stance that no medal ceremonies would be held for events involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was confidential.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee released a statement confirming the meeting between Bach and the skaters had taken place, ''however the details and content of that discussion should remain between them.''

International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams repeated the USOPC's statement at his daily briefing Thursday in Beijing and said he wouldn't comment further.

Speed skating-Fourth time lucky: Takagi wins gold in 1,000 meters

2022-02-17 22:00

Men's champion Nathan Chen and his U.S. teammates finished runner-up to the Russians 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 U.S. 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.

The people familiar with the meeting said 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, USOPC 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. (AP)

Top 10 Stories

1	INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management

2	Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant

3	INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights

4	Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report

5	INTERVIEWKorea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change

6	ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?

7	Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite

8	Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death

9	Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies

10	Tensions rise as opposition demands special probe into first lady

Top 5 Entertainment News

1	JYP to host annual audition in January

2	Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival

3	INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

4	ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene

5	INTERVIEWASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater

DARKROOM