Skate Canada to appeal ISU’s 2022 bronze medal decision

Skate Canada has announced it will be appealing the International Skating Union’s decision to award a bronze medal to Russia despite one of its skaters being sanctioned for doping at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

In a release on Friday, Skate Canada said it is making the appeal along with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the athletes from its 2022 figure skating team, which finished fourth in the team skating event.

The Russian team was awarded gold in Beijing before it was revealed that skater Kamila Valieva had tested positive for a banned heart medication in a sample taken before the Games.

Skate Canada, together with the athletes from the team ⛸️ event at the #Beijing2022 Winter Olympic Games and the COC, have made the decision to formally appeal the ISU’s decision in respect of the team medal.

Full details ⤵️ https://t.co/8xvA3gQc4r

— Skate Canada / Patinage Canada (@SkateCanada) February 16, 2024

The Court of Arbitration for Sport had ruled that Valieva would be disqualified from the games back on Jan. 29.

WATCH MORE: Russian skater tests positive for a banned drug at the Olympics

Following that decision, the ISU upgraded the United States to gold and Japan to silver, while awarding Russia the bronze rather than move Canada from fourth to third.

After removing Valieva’s maximum 10 points from each of her two events, amended standings from the ISU still had Russia one point ahead of Canada.

Skate Canada says it disagrees with the decision from the ISU and believes an independent review will provide further clarity on the matter.

“Our appeal is rooted in a commitment to fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the sport,” the governing body said.

Canada’s team entry in Beijing included Maddie Schizas, Piper Gilles, Paul Poirier, Kirsten Moore-Towers, Michael Marinaro, Eric Radford, Vanessa James and Roman Sadovsky, a last-minute replacement for Keegan Messing.

This report was created with files from The Canadian Press 

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