On Feb. 15 I witnessed the world-wide insult to the spirit of the Olympic Games and to the athletes who have and will participate in the games. This was done by the International Olympic Committee in consort with International Skating Union at their 10 a.m. press conference. They saw fit to present a second set of gold medals to the Canadian skaters, which they deserved in the beginning. The insult – if one watched the performances – is to say that these performances were equal quality, which they were not. It is a slap in the face of the Canadians skaters to give them medals under this cloud.
If the ISU and the IOC had the fortitude to be correct and fair, they would re-distribute the medals on the merit of the performances. I assume they have not destroyed the films. The media showed after the judging (via split screen) the side-by-side during which the Russians faulted. What more did the ISU and IOC need?
I am sure the Russian couple know there was a fault (stumble) in their presentation. A review of theirs and the Canadians skating shows that flaw. Say what you will, knowing that, the Russian couple in their own hearts will know that they were not truly the gold medal winners. I feel sorry for them as reflect back over the years of how they came to acquire their medals. The worst part of that is that it was not of their doing. It was done to them.
The IOC and the ISU should hang their heads in shame for the manner in which they handled this situation. They leave a bad taste in the mouths of all of us who thought that the Olympic Games were the very essence of fair play. The aura that was the games is sadly tarnished. We will view future Olympics with a jaundiced eye. It was not fair to us either.
Everett
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