|
 |
Lithuanians launch protest of ice dance judging
By Sara Giles
Deseret News staff writer
For the second time at the 2002 Winter Games, protests of Olympic judging have been hurled at the International Skating Union.
In a letter sent to the ISU, the Lithuanian Skating Federation on Tuesday formally protested the results of the ice dancing competition on behalf of its skaters, Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas.
Drobiazko and Vanagas finished fifth in the ice dance competition. France's Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat won the gold medal, followed by Russians Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh.
Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio of Italy took the bronze, despite a tumble during their routine.
"The judges come to the competition with pre-decided ideas of where they will place the competitors," Vanagas said. "Their opinions are ready before you even start."
Vanagas said he has watched corruption go on for years in ice dance judging and chose the couple's final appearance at an Olympic Games as the time to voice his concern.
"When coaches are laughing at the results of judges, that is a big problem," he said. "Coaches are really the best judges of the competition. When they don't agree with the judges, something is seriously lacking."
The Lithuanians said they are not seeking a medal and stated they wouldn't take it even if offered, referring to the decision by the ISU and the International Olympic Committee to award two gold medals in the pairs event.
"If there are two gold medals, then there are no champions. It means nothing," Drobesko said.
Both skaters stated they wanted no particular action but they wanted to publicly announce the historically prevalent "games and favoring" played by the judges without repercussions.
E-MAIL: sgiles@desnews.com
|
|
February 20, 2002
|
