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The Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee has issued an apology regarding an issue with the podium at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, which inadvertently caused minor damage to the figure skaters’ blades during their team medal celebrations last weekend.
Several skaters, including Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the U.S. team, who clinched the gold medal, experienced nicks and scratches due to the podium’s anti-slip surface. Kaori Sakamoto from Japan, who secured a silver medal with her team, was quick to notice the problem. Despite her celebratory mood, she skated away to inspect her blades, concerned about the potential damage.
In response to these incidents, Japan filed a formal complaint about the podium’s abrasive nature. The organizing committee acknowledged the issue and announced measures to address it. They promised to replace the problematic surface to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Additionally, they offered blade-sharpening services and arranged an extra training session for the affected teams from the U.S., Japan, and Italy, who took the bronze.
The committee also highlighted the Olympic spirit demonstrated by some National Olympic Committees, which stepped in to assist affected athletes from various countries. They expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed their dedication to providing optimal conditions for all athletes.
“We also understand that some (National Olympic Committees) have offered their services to the impacted athletes from other countries in a true example of the Olympic spirit,” the committee said, adding that it “apologises for the inconvenience caused and reiterates its commitment to ensuring the best possible conditions for all athletes.”
Skaters typically use freshly sharpened blades as a last resort, because it can take time for them to get worked back in. Instead, they turn to what are called honing stones that they run along the blades to remove any nicks and burrs.
Some wondered whether the blades may have caused a problem for Chock and Bates in the rhythm dance on Monday night, when the favored Americans were beaten by the French couple of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron by a slim margin.
“I think the skates are fine. The blades are good,” Bates said afterward. “We skated great. We felt like it was really strong.”
The next medal ceremony at the Milano Ice Skating Arena was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, following the mixed team relay in short-track speedskating. The next figure skating medal ceremony is on Wednesday night, when Chock and Bates hope to make up their deficit to Beaudry and Cizeron in the free dance and climb onto the top step of a resurfaced podium.