Report: Positive drug test for Russian delays team figure skating medal ceremony

The team from the Russian Olympic Committee jumps on the podium during the victory ceremony, after the team event in the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Beijing. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

A member of the gold medal-winning Russian figure skating team has had a positive doping test, causing the IOC to delay the medal ceremony for the event at the Beijing Olympics, USA Today's Christine Brennan reports.

The situation could affect Canada, which finished fourth in the team event.

The United States took silver and Japan captured bronze.

The medal ceremony was supposed to be held Tuesday night, but was delayed because of a legal issue, an IOC spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Russians are officially called the Russian Olympic Committee at the Beijing Olympics after a 2019 decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency to ban Russia from international sports competition for four years for a state-sponsored doping scheme.

Athletes are allowed to compete, but not under a Russian banner.

The ban was shortened after an appeal, but runs through 2022.

The IOC first suspended Russia in 2017 with the country's team called the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games.

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