At the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, ski crosser Daniela Maier wins bronze after her competitor was disqualified. But the decision is being appealed. With the end of the race, a month-long waiting game begins. The sports show annual review 2022.
When Daniela Maier goes to the starting block in Zhangjiakou, she doesn’t know that in a few seconds a journey lasting months will begin. A journey that would wash her through the depths and confusion and regulations of the power struggles between the sports associations. A journey of which she would once say: “I just want to get this over with.”
Daniela Maier surprisingly in the Olympic final
Before Maier starts this journey, she closes her eyes again – full of focus. For the then 25-year-old, it is the highlight of her career so far. Beijing Winter Olympics, February 2022.
Maier is surprisingly in the final of the top four. Right next to her is Fanny Smith, an experienced ski crosser from Switzerland. For them it is the fourth Olympic Games.
When the track is released, Maier starts strong. Good chance to third up before the last jump. Then Smith touches her ski. Maier slides away, flails her arms and loses pace in the final meters before crossing the finish line in fourth. Behind Sandra Näslund from Sweden and Marielle Thompson from Canada – and Smith.
At the finish, the athletes hug. A tough race, but that’s ski cross. Another reason why Maier loves this sport. “The variety, the direct competition, so much can happen in ski cross. The decision is only made at the finish line.”Maier told Sportschau in early December, at a time when she is still waiting for the outcome of this race.
Jury disqualified opponent Smith, bronze for Maier
This wait begins at the finish area in Beijing. There the race judges discuss this scene before the finish. Smith is annoyed, Maier confused. “That was fine”she says first to Smith and later, when the Swiss is disqualified and Maier is awarded the bronze medal, also to the jury.
But that’s not how big sport works. The decision is there – at least for the time being. Maier looks shocked. She keeps shaking her head. Is upset that it’s her who wins the bronze and not her opponent Smith.
But when Maier finally gets the bronze medal a day later, she has tears of joy in her eyes. It’s the biggest achievement of her career. Laughing, she shows the bronze medal that no one can take from her anymore. At least that’s what you thought at the moment.
Objection from the Swiss Ski Association
Smith writes almost simultaneously on Instagram: “This is the worst day of my career.” And so Smith and the Swiss Ski Association lodge an objection. It’s the second starting shot. For a bureaucratic head-to-head race.
At first, Maier seems to have an advantage. But after a week the turnaround. The FIS revises the decision and henceforth lists Smith as third-placed. Maier is only fourth. Now it is the DSV who “check all legal means” want. The case ends up at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS.
There he lies for months. The Olympic Games are long gone. After all, the new World Cup season is upon us, and neither Smith nor Maier knows if they officially have Bronze or not. “Personally, I finished it to focus on preparing for the upcoming season”says Maier in December.
There is no sign of bad blood between Maier and Smith. “I maintain normal contact with Fanny. We chat together, ski together and sometimes train together.”says Maier to the sports show.
Smith and Maier in third place
Then – finally – the CAS publishes the decision. There is a comparison. It is a Solomonic verdict in this conflict, in which there could not have been any winners for a long time: Both athletes are awarded third place.
This is how the race finally ends almost ten months after the start in Zhangjiakou. However, Maier does not look back bitterly at the Olympic Games. “I’m very proud of what I was able to pull off that day in Beijing. It was one of my best performances. I never gave up in the heats, fought my way to the final and then gave it my all – I’m very happy about that.”
Despite the uncertain situation, she never had to return the medal. “It’s well protected at home and has found a warm place”, says Maier. Now she can stay safe there.