Dhe German ski crosser Daniela Maier is threatened with the subsequent loss of her Olympic bronze medal. After an objection by fourth-placed Fanny Smith and the Swiss Ski Association, the Appeal Committee of the World Federation Fis has decided to overturn the jury’s decision in the final of the women’s race at the Winter Games in China. Fis announced this on Saturday. Smith is now rated third, Maier fourth.
The German Ski Association (DSV) does not want to accept the decision. “We are examining all legal steps. We don’t want to accept that,” said a spokesman when asked by dpa. When asked, the International Olympic Committee announced that the situation would be assessed once all appeals had been resolved.
Switzerland’s Smith initially finished third in the ski cross final in Zhangjiakou, China on February 17, one place ahead of Maier. When Swede Sandra Näslund won ahead of Canadian Marielle Thompson, the jury only immediately confirmed gold and silver. Smith was stripped of third place after a minute-long video study. In the opinion of the jury, the 29-year-old had hindered her German opponent on the home straight by stepping to the left.
Collision on the piste: Swiss Fanny Smith (front) just after she slightly touched Germany’s Daniela Maier (right).
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Image: Reuters
According to Fis, the appointments committee met four times and, after hours of analysis, came to the conclusion that the contact between the athletes was neither intended nor avoidable. A warning should therefore have been issued against Smith, but this does not result in a sanction.
“Of course I’m relieved about this decision,” says Smith. “Because I was always convinced that I hadn’t made a mistake. At the same time, it hurts me for Daniela Maier, who is now suffering from the situation.
