Anton Sikharulidze, the Russian pairs figure skating gold medalist, accepted Friday’s decision to give another gold medal to Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier with caustic wit but no feeling of relief.
Valentin Piseev, president of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, thought the decision was made too quickly because of the “fanatic fans” in North America.
Vitaly Smirnov, the Russian who is vice president of the International Olympic Committee, was upset about a Cold War atmosphere in the media and a statement made by fellow IOC member Richard Pound of Canada.
Tamara Moskvina, coach of the winning Russian team, said the Canadians’ gold medal had not diminished the value of the one awarded to Sikharulidze and partner Elena Bereznaia by a 5-4 judges decision in Monday’s free skate final.
Such were the reactions, in a series of interviews with the Tribune, of the Russians principally affected by the unprecedented award of a second Olympic gold medal because of a judge’s misconduct in a subjectively scored sport.
“I think they’re going to give another gold medal for the Chinese pair and the Ukraine pair and the U.S. pair,” Sikharulidze said. “It’s going to be great. There will be a lot of gold medals going around.”
One can understand Sikharulidze’s sarcasm. The last few days have not exactly brought the joy he expected after winning a gold medal.
“They broke my heart,” he said.
Every day has meant more questions about scandal. He and Bereznaia have tried to watch other Olympic events involving the Russian team “but TV and other guys won’t let us do it. All the time, we need to talk about this bad situation.
“We can’t be happy. We can’t celebrate. It’s not right. This [judging] is not my problem.”
Bereznaia had cried after being greeted with stony silence when the pairs medalists were introduced at Salt Lake City’s Olympic medals plaza Tuesday.
“I’m not angry,” Sikharulidze said. “I just don’t feel comfortable in this situation. I can’t enjoy my life. We just sit here like dogs.”
Sikharulidze said he would congratulate the Canadians at proposed second medal ceremony is held Thursday before the women’s free skate final.
“We are friends, and they are great sportsmen,” he said.
Speaking through a translator, Piseev had said in an earlier interview that only one gold medal should be awarded “absolutely.” He said Friday the decision had been “very fast, too quick. We do not have a lot of proof without a serious investigation.
“Maybe this happened after the pressure of the media in North America and also because of the pressure of North America fanatic fans. This is a quite complicated case. I think for the IOC and the ISU (International Skating Union) executive board, this was the quietest way for them to do this. I think this could be a dangerous way.”
Asked if the controversy stemmed partly from Russia’s having won every Olympic pairs gold medal since 1964, Piseev said, “I think it is not only pairs but some other victories by our skaters that irritates people.”
Smirnov, an IOC member since 1971, thought remarks by Canada’s Pound soured the atmosphere heading into the Olympic figure skating competition. Pound had called for the end of ice dance as an Olympic event if its frequent judging irregularities could not be overcome.
Allegations have been made this week about vote-trading between the French judge in the pairs and the Russian in the dance.
“I’m upset about all the rumors of a Soviet bloc repeated by the press and the doubts expressed by an IOC member about ice dancing. I think it puts pressure on the jury [judging panel] and the referee by saying the event should be eliminated.
“This [dance] jury in Salt Lake City is presided by a Russian former Olympic champion, Alexandr Gorshkov (1976 dance gold medalist). He is the most outstanding and honest person I have ever met in my life.”
Moskvina, who has coached four of the last six Olympic pairs gold medalists, would not comment on whether she was unhappy over the decision of the IOC and ISU to award another gold medal.
“We are part of the IOC and the ISU,” she said. “I must obey the decision. It in no way diminishes the value of Elena and Anton’s gold. It’s like an extra gift.”
Pelletier said he could only imagine what the Russians have been going through since Monday yet did not know what sort of sympathetic words he could offer.
“I feel really bad for them, but it’s not my fault,” Pelletier said. “There is nothing I can say to them that will make them feel better. I don’t know how they are taking it. I don’t feel like a criminal. I do hope they are taking it well.”
Sikharulidze said the thing he most looks forward to is the end of his stay in Salt Lake City. He wonders if Friday’s decision is really the end of the controversy.
“I’m not sure it is over,” he said. “You can make something else happen very easily if you have power in your hands.
“The one thing I really wanted [the last few days] was to go home and be with my family and my friends.”
He will leave for St. Petersburg, Russia, after the Feb. 22 exhibition of Olympic figure skating medalists.
When Sikharulidze called his mother, Ludmila Pozniakova, after Monday’s final she told him, “Anton, you are the best.”
“Ask my mother,” he said Friday.
“Maybe she can give another gold medal too.”
