The China Mail - USA skaters want 2022 gold medal ceremony at Paris Olympics

Reigning world ice dance champions Evan Bates and Madison Chock were among nine Americans who became 2022 Beijing Olympic team figure skating champions after Valieva, part of the winning Russian team, received a four-year ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Medals have yet to be awarded after because the teen failed doping test before Beijing Winter Olympics.

But Chock and her teammates want to receive the medals in an Olympic atmosphere and as soon as possible.

"We've thought about it," Chock said. "We would like to have true Olympic medal ceremony. For us, that would be a ceremony at the Paris Olympics this summer... surrounded by the Olympic spirit.

"That would be the dream scenario."

CAS upheld an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after a Russian anti-doping investigation found Valieva had "no fault or negligence".

Valieva being dropped from Russia's team scoring lifted the US squad into the gold medal spot in a re-ranking announced Tuesday by the International Skating Union (ISU).

Japan moved into silver with Russia third, rather than disqualified, as Valieva did not fail a doping test during the Beijing Olympics, leaving Canada in fourth.

Appeals could be pending but Sarah Hirshland, chief executive officer of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, said she was instructed she could award American skaters the gold medals.

"I've been given clear direction we should proceed with giving medals to the US team and that's what we're going to do," Hirshland said.

"There's no scenario in which Team USA is not the gold medal winner and we're eager to get these medals awarded. Everybody has a sense of urgency."

Hirshland said appeals that could raise doubts about other podium spots shouldn't delay a US ceremony.

"It doesn't have to be a ceremony with all three -- the gold, silver and bronze," she said. "We have some flexibility and latitude."

Chock said when the controversy first unfolded two years ago, she never expected it would take this long to resolve.

"There was a small underlying feeling of disappointment and sadness," Chock said. "I didn't realize it had been weighing on us the whole time until we got the resolution.

"It's like a weight has been lifted. It's like we're celebrating our Olympic experience all over again. It puts a feeling of closure to this whole movement and the Beijing Olympics."

And at age 31, Chock can finally call herself an Olympic champion.

"Amazing, quite frankly," she said. "A feeling I've always dreamed of, one I almost can't believe is finally here. It has been a very happy 24 hours."

- 'Long and arduous wait' -

Bates said the past day had been "surreal" and unbelievable" after the long delay.

"It was a long and arduous wait, but we've gone through to this point," he said. "I hope this team will be remembered as much for how we've handled this off the ice as much as for the performances we put on the ice."

The US lineup set for gold included three-time world champion and 2022 men's Olympic champion Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Karen Chen, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Zachary Donohue, Bates and Chock.

Asked if he would share a podium with the Russians, Bates made it clear he was more concerned about who was with him at the top.

"I just want to be standing up there, all nine of us on top of the podium," he said. "I can't wait for that moment to arrive."

Z.Huang--ThChM