Figure skating to stay in Games

A public outcry followed Russia's win in the pairs

Figure skating will not lose its place at the Winter Olympics despite the judging scandal which marred this year's Games.

The International Olympic Committee's ruling executive board made the decision at its first meeting since a Russian with mob connections was arrested in Italy charged with trying to fix the skating in Salt Lake.

"The executive board firmly stated that figure skating would remain on the programme of the Winter Games," said IOC director general Francois Carrard.

Asked if that meant all the disciplines from the sport, he added: "That is my understanding."

Organised crime

Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov has been charged by US prosecutors with trying to fix the pairs and ice dancing at the Games.

Last week, a US grand jury indicted the Russian, which paves the way for the US to seek his extradition from Italy.

The IOC has not ruled out changing the results of the event.

On Tuesday, IOC vice-president Thomas Bach asked all Olympic sports to search their ranks for any evidence of organised crime.

"I just think we cannot close our eyes," he said. "I have not even a hint but in this kind of problem, it's much better to avoid than to solve it."

The IOC will discuss the Salt Lake skating scandal towards the end of their three-day meeting on Thursday.