Oberhofen am Thunersee (dpa) – ski crosser Daniela Maier is surprised at the subsequent withdrawal of her third place at the Olympic Winter Games in China.
“To be honest, I’m surprised by the new situation and I’m excited to see what will happen after the objection has been granted,” said the 25-year-old from SC Urach. She is experiencing such a situation for the first time and will now “check all legal means” together with the German Ski Association (DSV) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
Maier is at risk of losing her bronze medal. After an objection by fourth-placed Fanny Smith and the Swiss Ski Association, the Appeal Committee of the World Federation Fis has decided to overturn the jury’s decision in the final of the women’s race at the games. Fis announced this on Saturday. Smith is now rated third, Maier fourth.
Not equivalent to losing the medal
Losing third place does not automatically mean losing the Olympic medal. A possible scenario would be that another bronze medal is awarded.
When asked, the International Olympic Committee announced that the situation would be evaluated once all appeals had been resolved. “We are currently in the process of examining the legal steps – either to the Fis-Court or, if necessary, to the international sports court Cas,” said DSV President Franz Steinle on Saturday.
Switzerland’s Smith initially finished third in the ski cross finals in Zhangjiakou on February 17, one place ahead of Maier. This was denied to Smith after a minute-long video study. In the opinion of the jury, the 29-year-old had hindered her rival on the home straight by stepping to the left.