11.02 Russia Loses Second Appeal Against Skiathlon Result
SOCHI, February 11 (R-Sport) - Russia has lost a second protest against Sunday's Olympic skiathlon result, which saw its athlete narrowly miss out on a bronze medal, the International Ski Federation (FIS) said Tuesday.
An FIS race jury had already once rejected Russia’s complaint that Maxim Vylegzhanin was impeded in a dash for the line by Norwegian skier Martin Johnsrud Sundby, who won the bronze by one tenth of a second over the Russian.
The jury left the results of the race in place but handed Sundby a written reprimand for moving out of his lane. The FIS said Tuesday that the decision remains in force.
“The Appeals Commission has rejected the Appeal against the Jury Decision … and has supported the Jury decision to give Mr Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR) a Written Reprimand,” the federation said in a statement.
The Olympic host nation now plans an appeal to the highest authority, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an official told R-Sport.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, has established an ad hoc court in Sochi for just such instances. It has ultimate authority over all Olympic and other sporting-related matters.
Vylegzhanin narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing last out of four skiers in a dash for the line of the 30km race in the mountains above Sochi. He accused third-placed Sundby of having blocked him.
"I think the Norwegian wasn't in the right," he said Sunday. "He got in my way."
Sundby suggested he accidentally strayed out of his lane but corrected the mistake immediately when trackside officials notified him.Switzerland’s Dario Cologna won the gold in Sochi, 2.7 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Marcus Hellner, with Sundby 0.7 seconds further back and Vylegzhanin a tenth of a second behind him.
Race regulations forbid any deviation from the optimal racing line. International Ski Competition Rules state: "In all competitions obstruction is not allowed. This behavior is defined as deliberately impeding, blocking (by not following best line), charging or pushing any competitor with any part of the body or ski equipment."
