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It's all smiles as Canada skaters get their gold
Russians join them graciously on medals stand
By Jenifer K. Nii
Deseret News Olympic specialist
A clasp of hands, a friendly embrace, and the biggest controversy of the Salt Lake City Olympics came to a photo-op finish.
Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada received their gold medal at a ceremony following the ice dance original dance competition Sunday. Clearly fatigued and relieved, the pairs figure skating team caught in the middle of a judging debacle that ended in the suspension of one judge, an ongoing investigation and a call for massive reform of the judging system, accepted their medals from International Skating Union president Ottavio Cinquanta.
"This was better than I expected," Pelletier said later. "I think the four of us were part of history, and that's something that is great for the four of us. Obviously, it was a tough few days. But now we're happy to put some closure to it and we can go on and be athletes. Our gold medal is everybody's."
Joining the Canadians in a show of goodwill and Olympic spirit were Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, the co-gold medalists from Russia. Berezhnaya and Sale clasped hands as they climbed the medals podium and together raised their arms in triumph, both as victors.
The Russians, wearing the medals they received last Monday, heard their anthem played first, followed directly by "O, Canada."
Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze, who have spoken publicly of their sadness at the way they have been roped into the scandal, also welcomed the sense of closure.
"I'm very happy because I think now after all these kinds of problems, we're all happy," Sikharulidze said. "I think the audience must be happy as well, because it's the right decision."
Mitt Romney, president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, was ice-side for the dance event and the medals ceremony. He said he had planned to attend the dance but stayed for the awarding of the medals because "it was one of the most emotional moments in Olympic history."
Asked if he was glad to see the end of what had been the Games' biggest black eye to date, Romney said, "Oh, I don't think that was an issue. This was just great for the skaters."
The case may be closed for the athletes and SLOC, but the jury is still out on the judging system. ISU officials are expected to meet Monday to discuss proposed reforms in the system, the status of the investigation into the pairs event scandal, and the possibility of further sanctions on parties involved.
E-MAIL: jnii@desnews.com
Deseret News Olympic specialist Maria Titze contributed to this report.
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February 18, 2002
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