USA Figure Skating Team Gets Gold Medals at Eiffel Tower

In a significant turn of events following a doping scandal, Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has been disqualified from all competitive results since her positive test for trimetazidine. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a four-year ban on the 15-year-old athlete, leading to a re-ranking of the team event at the Beijing Olympics. As a result, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team fell to third place, allowing the United States and Japan to claim the gold and silver medals, respectively. The American skaters, Nathan Chen and Madison Hubbell, expressed their mixed emotions about the delayed medal ceremony. Initially devastated by the absence of family and fans during the Beijing Games due to COVID-19 restrictions, they found joy in finally receiving their medals in a celebratory atmosphere. The medal ceremony took place at the picturesque Trocadéro Gardens in Paris, where a large crowd enthusiastically cheered for the athletes. During the ceremony, the American team was met with chants of “USA, USA, USA,” and the Japanese team, who received their silver medals, joined in the festivities, showcasing their camaraderie. Hubbell reflected on the experience, stating that the moment was even more special because they could celebrate with their families and friends, something they missed in Beijing. Hubbell expressed gratitude to the International Olympic Committee and other organizations for making this moment possible, emphasizing the significance of celebrating their achievements on a grand stage in Paris. The event marked a joyful conclusion to a tumultuous chapter in their Olympic journey.