Secretive world of skating casts crooked figure

SALT LAKE CITY - Two hours into the Olympic pairs figure skating judges meeting Tuesday a member of the panel stretched a piece of duct tape across the crack of the room's only door.

The inner-workings of a process that resulted in the controversial decision to award the pairs gold medal to Russia's Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze over Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier would remain behind closed doors.

The tape could not contain a scandal that engulfed the Salt Lake City Games and questioned the sport's ethics and future in the Games.

The International Skating Union launched an investigation into the results, bowing to wide-ranging pressure on a day full of allegations of deal-making between judges and concerns that the fallout could impact remaining skating events.

"The International Skating Union - following certain reactions received by the public and media on the result of the pairs event at the Salt Lake Ice Center last night and also to respect the public opinion - is doing an internal assessment to monitor if the ISU rules and procedures have been respected," ISU general secretary Fredi Schmid said.

Among the allegations the ISU will investigate are charges by members of the Canadian skating community that French judge Marie Reine Le Gougne scored the Russians higher than the Canadians in exchange for support for the French ice- dancing team. Chinese judge Yang Jiasheng was supposed to judge the men's competition but withdrew citing health reasons.

"The operative word here is deal," said Lori Nichol, Sale's and Pelletier's world-renowned choreographer.

Announcement of the investigation was unable to quell the uproar, with several of figure skating's leaders suggesting the controversy may have done irreparable damage.

"I think this is the worst thing that has happened in a long time in figure skating," said U.S. coach Frank Carroll.

Carroll was joined by others in demanding the ISU completely overhaul its judging system and for the International Olympic Committee to consider revoking the ISU's funding and sanction if it doesn't.

"I feel there should be pressure applied," said Sally Rehorick, head of Canada's Olympic delegation in Salt Lake City and an Olympic and World championships judge.

"Judging in skating is like doping in track and field. It's not good for the sport," said Pelletier, who along with Sale otherwise took the high road.

Figure skating judging controversies date back to the first of Sonja Henie's three Olympic victories in St. Moritz in 1928. Few, however, have sparked such a volatile reaction as Monday's.

Skating first, the Russians ran into trouble early in their program when Sikharulidze stumbled on landing a double-axle. According to several coaches, skaters and skating officials, the Russians committed at least three other significant errors.

Sale and Pelletier, according to those interviewed, then skated a flawless program to "Love Story."

But judges from Russia, China, France, Poland and Ukraine scored the Russians first.

Ronald Pfenning, the American who was the referee for the panel, agreed to meet with reporters Tuesday. Instead 2 hours later an official said no ISU officials would be available.

And then the tape was placed on the door.

CAST YOUR VOTE

If you were judging the pairs figure skating competition Monday, would you have given higher marks to Russian skaters Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze or Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier?

To vote and to see instant results, go to http:/ olympics.gazette.com

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