In a one-line statement, the International Skating Union also said there were ongoing legal discussions. The story was first revealed at the IOC press conference on Wednesday. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: „A situation has arisen in the short term that requires legal advice,” without giving details on the nature of the consultation. Asked about the situation ahead of the men`s long programme at the Capital Indoor Stadium, an ROC spokesperson said: „We cannot comment on Kamila because we are waiting for the IOC press release.” The competition ended Monday after several days of intense skating, during which Russian Olympic Committee athletes won gold, the United States silver and Japan bronze. Insidethegames.biz said the situation revolved around a pre-Games doping test by one of the Russian figure skaters, while Russia`s leading sports newspaper said it was Japanese skating star Yuzuru Hanyu. International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams had previously mentioned „legal advice” with skating`s governing body. Details of the case were not specified, but could include a suspicion of eligibility or a doping rule violation. The multi-day team competition in figure skating includes women`s and men`s disciplines, pair skating and ice dance. On Wednesday, Adams called the delay in the medal ceremony an „emerging problem,” later adding, „You can bet your lowest dollar that we do absolutely everything and everyone is doing absolutely everything so that this situation can be resolved as quickly as possible because we have athletes and athletes who have won medals. But I am afraid, as you know, that legal problems will sometimes drag on.
The International Testing Agency, which is conducting tests at the Games, said: „The ITA is aware of the various reports circulating about the postponed medal ceremony for the figure skating team event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Any announcements related to these events will always be posted on the ITA website and will not be subject to further comment. Such an announcement has not yet been made public. The Beijing Olympics medal ceremony for the figure skating team competition with Japan has been postponed due to an emerging legal issue, the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday. However, IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a news conference Wednesday that in the short term „a situation has arisen” that requires „legal advice” with the International Skating Union, skating`s governing body. No further information was provided. When asked how long figure skaters would have to wait to receive their medals, Adams replied, „It depends on the legal process.” Olympic Games: Japan wins bronze in team figure skating in Beijing However, he warned that „as you know, legal problems can sometimes drag on.” Reporters questioned the Kremlin on the matter later Wednesday amid speculation that gold medals won by six Russian figure skaters could be threatened. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the reason was a „legal opinion” required from skating`s governing body. Details of the case were not specified.
„Everyone is doing absolutely everything so that the situation can be resolved as quickly as possible,” Adams said, although he cautioned: „As you know, legal issues can sometimes drag on.” Barry Svrluga: Who would have seen another Russian doping problem coming? All except the IOC. The medal ceremony for the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics has been postponed due to an ongoing legal issue that could affect the medallists, the IOC has announced. A high-profile doping allegation hit the Winter Olympics on Wednesday, when the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event was postponed because a Russian figure skater tested positive for a banned substance. The winners of the team skating competition at the Beijing Olympics have yet to receive their medals two days later, as the IOC on Wednesday called them „legal problems.” RBC reported that Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, which improves heart function in patients with heart disease and is on the World Anti-Doping Agency`s list of prohibited substances. It`s not clear if Valieva has heart problems. The International Olympic Committee postponed the ceremony, citing legal hurdles that had to be settled with the International Skating Union. There has been speculation that the ongoing litigation is about whether the substance was taken in or out of competition. Valieva was part of the Russian Olympic Committee team that won the gold medal, followed by the United States in second place and Japan in third. Figure skaters who celebrated on the ice afterwards have yet to receive their medals, a postponement caused by a legal issue, according to the International Olympic Committee. The committee did not explain the nature of the problem. Such a publication did not arrive shortly afterwards at the IOC`s daily press briefing. IOC spokesman Mark Adams declined to comment on what he called „all sorts of speculation” on Thursday.
He would not say who is dealing with this case, as that would indicate the nature of the problem. Adams has previously stated that the issue „requires legal consultation with the UIS.” Russian star Kamila Valieva has tested positive for a banned heart drug, Russia`s RBC news agency reported, delaying the awarding of medals for Monday`s Olympic team figure skating event. The International Skating Union did not respond to a request for comment. There was no immediate comment from the Russian Olympic Committee. Russia`s sports ministry told Tass it was „premature” to comment on the reasons for the delay. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said people should wait for clarification from Russian sports officials or the IOC on what was behind the delay. The outstanding achievement was 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who became the first figure skater to land a quadruple jump at the Olympic Games. American Vincent Zhou tested positive for COVID-19 after his freestyle on Sunday. Russian athletes are competing as ROC in Beijing due to the impact of the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Olympics.
The World Anti-Doping Agency declined to comment, saying NBC News should contact the organizer or the appropriate testing agency for information.