Rust (dpa) – ski crosser Daniela Maier has to continue to fear for her Olympic medal, but therefore has no grudge against her Swiss competitor Fanny Smith.
“Fanny and I contacted each other and talked to each other,” said Maier at the media day of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) in Europa-Park in Rust. There was “absolutely nothing between us,” emphasized the 26-year-old. “We trained together again and had fun. In that respect, everything is good and fits so far.” The fight for her bronze medal now takes place on a different level. The athlete from SC Urach couldn’t say much about it herself.
Maier had won bronze at the last winter games in China. After an objection from fourth-placed Smith and the Swiss Ski Association, the Appeals Committee of the World Association Fis decided at the end of February to overturn the jury’s decision at the final of the women’s race in Zhangjiakou. Smith has been third since then, Maier fourth. The German Ski Association defended itself against the protest. The International Olympic Committee announced that it would assess the situation once all appeals were resolved.
Losing third place does not automatically mean losing the Olympic medal. A possible scenario would be that another bronze medal is awarded.