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U.S. figure skating dismisses report of judging conspiracy

Meryl Davis, Charlie White

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States compete in the team ice dance short dance figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

U.S. Figure Skating denied reports on Saturday suggesting the United States and Russia are conspiring to help each other win gold medals at the Sochi Olympics.

A report from the French newspaper L’Equipe, quoting an anonymous Russian coach, said the two countries have ensured judges would award U.S. ice dancers Charlie Davis and Meryl White ice dance gold, while Russia would win both pairs and the team event.

“Comments made in a “L’Equipe” story are categorically false,” the American governing body said in a statement on Saturday, via Reuters.

“There is no ‘help’ between countries. We have no further response to rumors, anonymous sources or conjecture.”

The allegation made the media rounds on Saturday. But it’s an odd one. Russia boasts strong skaters in all four disciplines, while Davis and White are among the ice dance favorites.

Such rumors don’t seem bother the U.S. pair.

“We haven’t heard anything about it,” she said. “We are confident that what we are putting out onto the ice speaks for itself.”