Sigi's peaks: wonderful award ceremony

Sigi Heinrich

Preface: The plot described is fictitious. The fact that many Olympic medals in biathlon from the 2010 and 2014 games could be awarded again corresponds to the current state of knowledge. A few days ago, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the decision of the International Biathlon Federation (IBU) that all results of the Russian biathlete Yevgeny Ustyugov would be revoked due to abnormalities in his biological blood passport from 2010 to 2014. An award ceremony on your doorstep ... and so a completely normal and really inconspicuous car drives up to Arnd Peiffer's house on a still quite warm and early November day in the south of Munich. The German biathlete, one of the most successful in his profession, is initially surprised. The first thought was that they could be controllers from the International Doping Agency (WADA). He doesn't have to be afraid. He always kept his attendance records clean. And checks have long been part of the everyday life of a world-class athlete. And so he calmly sits down at the table in the kitchen again to continue eating breakfast in peace. Until the bell rings.

Casually dressed in a tracksuit, he opens the door and sees a man in front of him, well dressed, a discreet tie with a gray suit, holding a kind of stool in his right hand. And a small backpack dangles in the other. Of course Arnd has put on his mask and so they both face each other covered up. “Hello Mr. Peiffer.” It is more of a question than a statement. “Yes, what’s up,” Arnd replies. The stranger holds a card under his hidden nose. Gerome Klein, IOC, reads Arnd and is asked to identify himself. That surprises him again. Strange, very strange, he thinks to himself, but please: The guy doesn't give the impression that he's trying to pull the wool over his eyes. He gets his ID and when he comes back, Mr. Klein has placed his stool in the middle of the door and spread a cloth over it. The Olympic rings can be seen in front, but Arnd doesn't see that. He's behind it. According to the representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - because his institution is responsible for awarding new medals - he has good news. “Mr. Peiffer, you are Olympic champions.” And Arnd is surprised for the third time.

He and his colleagues Daniel Böhm, Erik Lesser and Simon Schempp came second in the Sochi relay. That was almost seven years ago, but the memory is still as beautiful as if it were yesterday. He was happy about this medal. And now this. Mr. Klein says very formally that he should please climb onto the small platform that he brought with him. He would like to catch up on the award ceremony. Arnd realizes what's going on. He rushes back into the house, quickly digs out the official anorak of the German team from 2014 and jumps onto the chair, which seems to be quite secure. And then Mr. Klein conjures a gold medal out of his backpack and hangs it around Arnd Peiffer. He can't help but wonder, because as soon as this act is over, the German national anthem sounds from Mr. Klein's cell phone. Arnd stands a little at attention. Then he is photographed from all sides by Mr. Klein and he is assured that he will receive the pictures.

There is no handshake. Corona. When the anthem was played, Arnd was allowed to take off his mask. There wasn't anyone else there either. Gerome Klein thanks them for their cooperation but declines the invitation for a cup of coffee. “I have to move on,” he says, packs up his stool and stows it in the trunk. Before that he gives Arnd the box for the medal. Peiffer closes the door and is now Olympic champion for the second time. Then he calls Erik Lesser and Simon Schempp. Both are at home. He caught Daniel Böhm in the office of the International Biathlon Federation in Salzburg, where Böhm now works. “Someone will come by your place and he will bring you a gold medal from Sochi,” Arnd explains to his friends. “But don’t be surprised. It's all very strange.” And he remembers Pyeongchang 2018, when he was able to experience a real award ceremony at the Olympic Games after his sprint victory. Fortunately.

Afterword 1: The decision on Ustyugov is not yet final because his lawyer has lodged an objection. By the way, the medals are usually delivered by post. It is up to the national associations to find a nice setting for the presentation at some point. You are no longer tied to time. Whether you suddenly become an Olympic champion after seven or ten years: the big emotional moment is over and cannot be repeated.

Afterword 2: The Austrian relay from 2014 would be entitled to silver. Norway would win the bronze medal and Ole-Einar Björndalen would now have 13 Olympic medals instead of the previous 14. Martin Fourcade (France) would be the 2010 Olympic champion in the mass start, Christoph Suman (Austria) would subsequently receive bronze, as would the Swedish relay team, which also initially landed in fourth place. And because it would also affect the results of world championships, Lukas Hofer (Montal) would be entitled to the silver medal in the mass start from 2011 ( SportNews berichtete ).

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Sigi's peaks: wonderful award ceremony

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