Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

IOC Awards Gold Medal to Sale, Pelletier; Fans Feel Justice Was Served

Aired February 16, 2002 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: At the Winter Olympics, officials have decided to award medals to a Canadian figure skating pair caught up in a judging scandal. Along with the Canadian skaters, fans feel justice was served. CNN's Carol Lin has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To award a gold medal to Sane and Pelletier.

CAROL LIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you're Canadian, there is joy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm happy for the athletes, sorry for the skaters, but also in particular, for all the other athletes.

LIN: There was relief.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Canada got what they deserved, and I think it's a good sign for the rest of the figure skating competition here, and hopefully down the line.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go Canada, go.

LIN: If you are Russian, there is diplomatic disappointment.

MARGARET KIREIEV, RUSSIAN OLYMPIC HOST: I certainly believe that they did very well, but the crying baby gets the marbles. So, they did get the marbles.

LIN: People standing in long lines to buy Olympic souvenirs got the news and feel for the Russians.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it's not their fault.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The skaters didn't just give themselves the gold medals, the judges did.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Totally agree.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But I do think the Canadians earned it that night.

LIN: The scandal has captivated Olympic fans and the world, the surprise, the suspense. At the Sky Box Sports Bar, Jeff Flamm (ph) compares Skate Gate to Salt Lake's other Olympic scandal.

JEFF FLAMM: Bribes have gone on before to get the Olympics to a city. Unfortunately, they were caught here. So, I think it's really tightened it up for years to come, and I think it will be the same on judging.

LIN: His brother, Brian, disagrees. Does it make you feel like the system is clean now?

BRIAN FLAMM: No. I don't know. It will probably happen again.

LIN: Why do you think the International Skating Union and the International Olympic Committee were so quick to come out today with this announcement?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I think they need to. They need to get it back on track.

LIN (on camera): And barring any further surprises, the Olympic Committee is expecting to give the Canadian skaters their gold next Thursday night, the last night of figure skating competition.

LIN (voice over): Only then will sports fan here feel the controversy finally will be over. Carol Lin, CNN, Salt Lake City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com