0
LAUSANNE (Switzerland), May 1: Taking a tough line in a case that has tarnished the image of figure skating, the sport’s world governing body suspended the two central figures in the Olympic judging scandal for three years and banned them from the 2006 Winter Games.
But the affair is set to drag on. The suspended French judge and French federation chief denounced the hearings as a “masquerade,” said they will appeal and threatened to make revelations of corruption against the people who run the sport.
The rulings against judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne and federation head Didier Gailhaguet were announced Tuesday after a two-day hearing of the International Skating Union council.
Le Gougne, shaking with rage, vowed to fight harder than ever to clear her name.
“I hoped that tonight would be the end of a nightmare that has lasted 2 1/2 months,” she said. “Unfortunately, that’s not the case. But I am more determined than ever. So it’s no longer a nightmare. Now it’s a real battle. I want my dignity and honor restored.”
The French pair were found guilty of “misconduct” for allegedly manipulating the scoring of the pairs competition at the Salt Lake City Games to ensure victory by the Russian couple.
The suspensions go into effect immediately and will last until April 30, 2005.
Ron Pfenning, the U.S. referee for the pairs event who testified that Le Gougne admitted to him she voted under pressure for the Russians.
The ISU council deliberated for five hours before announcing the rulings.
Gailhaguet’s lawyer, Alexander Brabant, called the proceedings a “kangaroo court.” Le Gougne threatened to make revelations about the ISU.
“I will explain how things work,” she said. “It’s a system that is extremely biased, dictatorial and even corrupt. ... They won’t stop me now. I have nothing more to lose. I will fight this to the end.
Le Gougne described the verdict as a political decision” aimed at undermining French influence in the sport. She and Gailhaguet were due to run for top positions at ISU elections in Japan next month.
