Skaters handle fame, bedlam with aplomb

Controversy nets pair TV talk shows, concert guest appearances . . . and a belated trip to the gold-medal stand.

By JOHN ROMANO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 16, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY -- For four days, David Pelletier and Jamie Sale owned what may be the most famous silver medals in Olympic history.

On Friday, they were upgraded to gold.

"We do hope to get the bronze too," Pelletier said with a straight face. "So we can have the entire collection."

The Canadian figure skating duo was awarded gold medals by the International Olympic Committee after it was determined judging at Monday night's competition was compromised by the French judge. It is unclear whether the Canadians will keep their silver medals.

The decision capped a frantic week for the duo that began with Monday's disappointment and included an outpouring of support across North America. Sale and Pelletier seemed to be everywhere, from Larry King Live to onstage with Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.

They are far more famous -- and much more marketable -- than if they had simply been awarded the gold on Monday. And they will likely have their own awards ceremony on Feb. 21 before the women's figure skating final. But Sale said she still felt cheated of the experience of standing on the middle podium and accepting a gold medal immediately after her performance.

"You bet," she said. "That's what every Olympian dreams of. And that's all I dreamt of my whole life. I visualized it. I visualized my flag being in the middle and hearing my anthem. I knew, I felt, I could come here and skate my personal best. I was mentally, physically and emotionally prepared.

"You bet. We were cheated out of that. Big time."

Pelletier said Russian skaters Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, who will keep the gold medals they won Monday, have also suffered.

"I feel really bad for what happened to them," Pelletier said. "There's nothing I can say that will make them feel any better. At the same time, it's not my fault. I do hope they're taking it well. The Olympic games are supposed to be a celebration of humanity."

Pelletier said he hopes reforms in judging will at least make the distasteful episode worthwhile.

"I would like to think this all won't be laid on one scapegoat, the French judge," he said. "There are other people involved. I don't know exactly what happened, but I don't think one or two people should be massacred by journalists over this."

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