Carlo Fassi - 1980 Olympics Controversy

1980 Olympics Controversy

After Fassi's death, U.S. skater Linda Fratianne and her coach Frank Carroll alleged that Fassi had conspired to "rob" Fratianne of the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics by masterminding a deal with Eastern-bloc judges to swap votes for his own pupil Robin Cousins in the men's event with those for the East German champion Anett Poetzsch in the ladies' event. The allegations became so well known that the story has subsequently been repeated as if it were fact. On the other hand, Sonia Bianchetti, referee of the men's competition at those Olympics, has denied that the judging of either event was incorrect, and pointed out that only two of the nine judges on the ladies' panel were from Eastern-block countries—while five other judges also gave their first-place votes to Poetzsch. Benjamin Wright, the American referee of the ladies' event, instead blamed the method of tabulating scores that was in effect at that time for Fratianne's defeat. While the story of Fassi's machinations will probably never be proven, the widespread acceptance of the allegations is indicative of the power and influence in the sport which he is supposed to have had during his lifetime.

It is also notable that Fassi had at least five students of his own competing in the ladies event in Lake Placid: Emi Watanabe of Japan, Susanna Driano of Italy, Claudia Kristofics-Binder of Austria, Kristiina Wegelius of Finland, and Karena Richardson of Great Britain.