Posted on 02/15/2002 11:42:28 AM PST by The_Victor
Snip of redundant material
...
"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 agree.
"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.
This is precisely the issue, Mr. Nezvegsky - backrooms. And in backrooms the Russian and French judges conspired to commit a species of professional "fraud", were caught, and the Russian players suffered the consequences.
That's why I have just turned the whole circus off. And I love ice skating. But I won't be played by these bozos. To hell with them.
A man (woman?) after my own heart. Good for you. You'd profit from keeping it off after the Olympics too, but that's just my opinion. :)
Wear protection. ;^)
Go Canada!
In what way did the russian players suffer consequences? Had the Russian judge been suspended? Were the Russian skaters stripped of their gold? Please explain your comment, since I am not aware of any consequences.
Apt resolution for a performing art masquerading as sport.
Easy. We just recall who has the mightiest economy, the mightiest military, the most productive science, the most watched entertainment, and is the still the preferred destination of people around the globe -- the USA. Besides, the mockery of the French or Belgians is a badge of honer these days. *g*
Can you think of anyone that would try to strike a vote trade/swap with the French judge? Who would stand to gain by pressuring the French judge to give gold to the Russians? Finland? Japan? Gosh, this is a tough one..... lol NOT!!!!
Then there are sports that don't even belong in the Olympics, like ice dancing (why not ballet too?) and equestrian events (unless the horse gets the medal).
Yea, like the 1972 Olympic mens' basketball game!
And are you the judge of what's worthwhile?
Of course, you say the same thing to all entertainers. Nix the singers, actors, writers, musicians and radio commentators, too. Right? We *do* want to be consistent. Just to make it clear, please post your list of "worthies." I'd like to compare it to the Constitution to see which are acceptable for the "pursuit of happiness."
BTW, if you're going to represent yourself as a GOPer, please consider whether or not you should be labeling someone's chosen field as "worthwhile" or not. That's hardly a conservative or a GOP position.
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