COC still looks to appeal Russian team figure-skating bronze despite ISU explanation

The Canadian Olympic Committee says it continues to believe Canada’s figure skating team deserves the bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and a statement from the International Skating Union to explain its reallocation of medals following a Russian skater’s doping ban is insufficient.

The ISU decided that Russia should drop from the gold-medal position to bronze despite the disqualification of Kamila Valieva. Canada finished fourth in the event in Beijing, behind Russia, the United States and Japan.

The ISU published amended standings from the competition after Valieva’s ban that removed her maximum 10 points from each of her two events but did not add an extra point to the other teams below her.

The new results had Russia a point ahead of Canada, while the U.S. and Japan were bumped up a spot.

In a statement Friday, the ISU said the reallocation of points could negatively affect the relative team ranking.

The COC said the ISU’s statement doesn’t provide further clarity or justification and it will continue to explore options for an appeal with Skate Canada.

“We are looking at options right now and will publish our decision early next week,” a Skate Canada spokesperson said in an email.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2024.