Almost a week after the official closing of the Beijing Winter Games, it is indeed an Olympic medal that was awarded, or rather reassigned this Saturday.
In skicross, the Swiss Fanny Smith thus officially became a bronze medalist, to the detriment of the German Daniela Maier.
Voluntary stampede or not?
Let's rewind.
On February 17, the Olympic ski cross event was held in which the Swede Sandra Näslund triumphed in front of the Canadian Marielle Thompson.
But there is an imbroglio for 3rd place.
If we consider the order of arrival, this bronze medal should indeed go to Fanny Smith.
But the jury then considered that the Swiss had committed a reprehensible movement that could have disrupted the progress of Daniela Maier, 4th in the ranking.
Consequently, Fanny Smith had been demoted to 4th place, thus giving up her medal to the German.
This outcome angered the Swiss clan, who decided to appeal.
"I'm obviously relieved"
This Saturday, the International Ski Federation (FIS) decided to respond favorably to this claim.
“The Appeal Board met four times and reviewed the video and written documentation for several hours (…) and concluded that the proximity of the riders at that time resulted in an action that was neither intentional, nor preventable,” she wrote in a statement.
Read alsoRedemptions, disillusions and Aznavour, 15 days of crazy stories in Beijing
Consequently, Fanny Smith therefore recovers the bronze charm, as in Pyeongchang in 2018. “I am obviously relieved by this decision because I have always been convinced that I had not made a mistake.
But at the same time, it pains me for Daniela Maier who is now a victim of this situation, ”reacted the Swiss skier, quoted in a press release from Swiss ski.
🥉 Doch noch Olympiabronze für Fanny Smith 🥉
➡️https://t.co/I364GoKLuL
Swiss Olympic ist zufrieden mit diesem Entscheid und freut sich sehr für Fanny Smith!
pic.twitter.com/YUoTLhYdDa
— Swiss Olympic Team (@swissteam) February 26, 2022
With this medal, Switzerland has a final balance of 15 charms, one more than France (14).
No consequence, however, on the medal table since only gold is taken into account as a priority to establish the ranking, dominated by Norway with Switzerland in 8th place and France in 10th position.