Posted on 02/15/2002 11:42:28 AM PST by The_Victor
Snip of redundant material
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"The council got enough evidence that this individual was responsible for misconduct. They (the skaters) were not judged equally."
Cinquanta said le Gougne had "practically admitted" she had been put under pressure during a meeting at which the American referee Ron Pfenning had been present. Earlier this week, Cinquanta said Pfenning had handed him a letter containing "certain allegations".
He added if a judge received pressure at any time the referee had to be informed.
RUSSIANS FURIOUS
"This did not happen in the case of Mrs. Le Gougne," Cinquanta said.
He said a council meeting on Monday would decide how long the suspension would last.
Pelletier and Sale told Canadian television after the announcement that justice had been done.
"Everyone knows what we deserve and we know what we deserve and we are taking that home with us and that's all that matters," Sale said.
"This is not about us and the Russians, this is about the sport we love dearly and justice was done, and that is a good feeling," said Pelletier.
"I hope it's not going to stop the cleaning of (figure skating's) house here," he added.
Sale said: "We just want the truth to come out and I think for the future of our sport this had to be fixed."
The Russian team reacted furiously to Friday's decision, describing it as a huge blow to the Olympic spirit.
Russian Olympic Committee official Rudolf Nezvegsky told Reuters: "By doing this, they just struck a huge blow, not only to the Olympic spirit of fair competition but also to the whole nature of sport.
"It went against any moral and ethical norms that exist in sport where athletes, not lawyers, compete against each other on the slopes and in the sports arenas and not in back rooms," Nezvegsky said.
"Mr Rogge, who has just become IOC president, probably does not understand what he has done for the sports movement for future Olympic Games (news - web sites)," Nezvegsky added.
I haven't decided what's more abhorrent -- the pairs' judging scandal, or the ridiculous outfits the male figure skaters wear!
Could be. I just saw a picture of her from the neck up. (I looked briefly, just now, but I couldn't find any pictures of her on the web...)
But, even if she is not Twiggy, don't forget, just a few weeks ago I put up this thread:
Mark W.
Of course you do. You obviously have a much better idea of the evidence than the IOC or the ISU. You are evidently privy to everything they have -- or you couldn't claim it was insufficient. No, to do that would be reckless, and you wouldn't speak recklessly out of some sort of misguided nationalism.
Here's a thought, perhaps the IOC and ISU could give you a call before they act next time? I'm sure they could use your advice.
You don't get out much, do you.
*YOU* are the one listening to the press and assuming they know all there is to know. *I* am saying the IOC and the ISU know more than *you* do. So, quit trying to second guess them because you don't like their conclusions.
You don't trust the press, so what? Quit assuming that all of the facts known were the ones that you heard reported in the press. I promise you that not everything known in the investigation was released to the public *or* the press. Only a fool would assume it was.
Actually, while I know money and income matter, this is more like the crowning achievement of their lives. If they never hoped to make a cent, the cruelty and pettiness of stealing the symbol which validates the excellence achieved through years of dedication is despicable. Everyone who competes in the Olympics has been working single-mindedly toward that one goal for years, many for most of their lives.
Most will try and fail, losing is the reality with which most will have to deal. Most of those who lose will count themselves winners just to have had the chance to be in the olympics.
But to earn it and have it stolen would be really difficult to deal with.
Ministry of Truth announces that Canadians' silver medals were revoked due to corruption of Western judge.
Ministry of Truth announces that Canadians' silver medals were revoked due to corruption of Western judge.
I'll grant you that, but my point was that the ENTIRE outcome of figure skating is judge-dependent. In boxing, it doesn't have to matter if the referee rules one way or another -- if you don't get your fists on the other man, you don't win. That's not up to a referee, that's up to the athlete.
I'm curious to see if this new scoring plan flies. Not too curious, though, since I'll be watching hockey instead. :)
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