It has been a grueling wait of 500 days for the American figure skating team since the scheduled Olympic medals ceremony was abruptly canceled. The bitter disappointment they felt during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics without the promised recognition still lingers.

The hard-earned medals they had rightfully achieved are now confined to storage after the scandal involving Russian athletes. As the unresolved case continues to unfold, the American skaters are left to ponder the uncertain fate of their hard-earned Olympic medals.

The unprecedented decision and the lingering impact

In a shocking move, Olympic officials decided not to award medals at the Games. As reported by NBC Bay Area, This groundbreaking measure came in the wake of a shocking revelation that Kamila Valieva, the Russian skater who played a pivotal role in leading her team to triumph, had been found to have tested positive for a banned substance, a few months before.

The ensuing legal and anti-doping hearings held in Beijing, Russia, and Switzerland have only further delayed the resolution of the case.

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Ironically, on Day 500, the Court of Arbitration for Sport finally announced the dates for the Valieva case, which could potentially bring closure to the prolonged issue. However, the September 26-29 dates mean that it may be close to two years before the American skaters finally receive their well-deserved medals.

In addition to the conspicuous lack of tangible acknowledgment, the skaters have been unjustly stripped of the consequential advantages usually associated with an athlete’s Olympic triumph.

The postponement of media tours, post-Olympic exhibitions, and sponsorships has been implemented without a foreseeable end, depriving the skaters of financial gains and career prospects as well.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has urged the International Olympic Committee to find a decisive outcome in this particular instance. However, even they know it’s already too late.

Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, said “At this point, it is impossible to restore what they would have rightfully earned had they stood on the podium while the world was watching.” 

The empty boxes for the figure skaters

The figure skaters further bear the haunting remembrance of the ceremony with empty black-and-gold cases awaiting them on their beds. These cases, accompanied by personalized messages from IOC President Thomas Bach, were meant to serve as the vessels for their long-awaited accolades.

However, the boxes are now part of an exhibit at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. In a nutshell, it symbolizes the 500 days that have passed since the unfortunate turn of events.

“You aspire to cross the finish line and receive the well-deserved recognition for your race, for what you have accomplished in that very moment. The exclamation point on the sentence is not meant to arrive several sentences later or in the next paragraph,” expressed skater Evan Bates, who was part of the team, while talking to the Associated Press.

He further his disappointment, stating, “It’s truly unfortunate that this momentous occasion has yet to materialize, and there is still a lack of closure or resolution after so many months.”

A wider fallout

The impact of this unfortunate sequence of events extends beyond the American skaters. The Japanese team, who secured a commendable third place, and the Canadian team, who valiantly came fourth, also find themselves in a state of anticipation for their well-deserved recognition. In the event of Russia’s ultimate disqualification, the Canadian team stands poised to potentially claim the bronze medal.

Additionally, there is the case of Kamila Valieva, who was only 15 years old during the Olympics. Many think coaches and handlers may have influenced her medical decisions. Russian tribunal cleared her of charges earlier this year but IOC’s probe needs to be resolved as well.

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Nevertheless, the delay has cast a shadow over skaters’ accomplishments and deprived them of the opportunities they rightfully deserve. We can only hope that the Valieva case approaches a resolution, allowing skaters to finally celebrate their momentous achievements on the Olympic stage.