The French judge at the centre of the Winter Olympics figure skating scandal was banned for three years after an International Skating Union disciplinary hearing in Lausanne today.
Marie-Reine Le Gougne was found guilty of misconduct for bowing to pressure from a top French official to award first place to Russian pair Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze at the Salt Lake City Games in February, ISU Council President Ottavio Cinquanta announced.
The Russian pair were awarded gold but all the judges' marks were later cancelled and an additional gold medal was given to Canadian pair Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.