Figure skaters experience podium moment in Paris

PARIS (AP) — The Summer Games took on a touch of winter on Wednesday as the U.S. figure skating team finally won its gold medals as the 2022 Olympic champions.

During the special medal ceremony, the nine Americans were able to parade on a catwalk in the bright Parisian sunshine, looking out at the Eiffel Tower and enjoying the warm cheers of the fans in the stands at Champions Park.

Exactly 2½ years after the Beijing Olympics team figure skating event ended — and the winning Russian team’s doping saga began — the Americans were awarded the medals that had not been awarded at that time.

“I think it was definitely worth the wait. Absolutely,” said Karen Chen, who wore the first gold medal of her career around her neck.

All nine American skaters came to Paris, including Evan Bates, Nathan Chen, Madison Chock, Zachary Donohue, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Alexa Knierim and Vincent Zhou. Seven of the eight members of the Japanese team came to collect their silver medals — an upgrade from their third-place finish in Beijing.

The athletes were honored with a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” not the Tchaikovsky piano piece that would have been played for the Russians in Beijing. The ceremony in France was watched by family, friends and fans. Not in a nearly empty indoor ice rink in China during the Olympics, which were held during a COVID-19 lockdown.

“It’s very special for all of us to be here and get our medals,” said Karen Chen, “just to see the crowd, see everything and embrace it all.”

Knierim, who skated in pairs with Frazier, had her nails painted gold.

“I thought it was perfect for the occasion,” she said of a ceremony that was only confirmed two weeks ago.

A Russian appeal to regain the Olympic team title was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport just before the opening of the Games in Paris. The title had been stripped in January when a different CAS panel disqualified Russian teenager Kamila Valieva for doping with a banned heart drug. She was also banned for four years.

No Russian skaters will win medals in the French capital, although their third place was confirmed at the Paris Olympics in another CAS ruling. The Russian Olympic Committee has been formally suspended from the Games, but 15 will compete as neutral athletes after screening.

The Canadian skaters last week lost their appeal to have their points total, originally ranked fourth, increased by the International Skating Union.

“My condolences go out to them,” said Zhou, one of the new Olympic champions.

The unusual setting for a Winter Games medal ceremony had more unusual features: no podium, no bronze medalists and no flagpoles. An American flag was displayed on a large screen.