After Over 2 Years, US Figure Skaters Triumphantly Claim Winter Olympics Gold

It has been more than two years since the American skaters left the Winter Olympics without a medal of any color.

PARIS, France — U.S. figure skaters have finally claimed their long-awaited gold medals after more than two years.

The medals were awarded in a ceremony at Champions Park Plaza on Wednesday, with team members Evan Bates, Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, and others in attendance.

During the 2022 Winter Olympics, Team USA originally placed second to Russia. However, Russian skater Kamila Valieva was implicated in a doping case, delaying the final verdict for almost two years.

No medals were awarded at the end of the event in Beijing.

In January, Russia officially lost the Olympic title due to Valieva’s disqualification and a four-year ban.

Just days before the Summer Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favor of Team USA, dismissing Russian appeals. This guaranteed the U.S. team their long-awaited gold medals. 

The U.S. wasn’t the only country affected by the ruling; Japan, initially placed third, will now receive silver medals.

“We are thrilled to finally honor these incredible athletes,” said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. “We are especially excited that the beautiful city of Paris will join us in this celebration.”

While the American team can now close the chapter on the 2022 Winter Olympics, the controversy involving the Russian team continues. 

The revised results dropped Russia to third, excluding Valieva’s scores. Canada awaits a separate ruling from CAS, seeking to be upgraded from fourth to third, potentially removing the Russian team from the podium altogether.