Latvia bobsledders get 2014 Olympic medals after Russia doping scandal

Latvian bobsleigh pilot Oskars Melbardis and his team of pushers and brakers on Saturday received their long-delayed medals from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, awarded after Russian athletes were found to have engaged in doping.

The ceremony took place during the European Bobsleigh and Skeleton Championships at the Sigulda ice track in central Latvia and featured all members of the four-man crew, who won gold medals, and the two-man team, which won bronze.

"I couldn't find any other case in history when an Olympic medal was awarded a full six years after winning it. This should be a record onto itself," Latvian Olympian, coach and sled-builder Janis Skrastins said while offering commentary on the European Championships for Latvian television.

"I'm actually happier and prouder about Melbardis and his team winning Olympic gold than my own cups and medals from the 1980s, because I had to win at a fair game while Melbardis dealt with competitors using illegal substances."
Melbardis told reporters on Saturday that his team thanks "our fans and families" while Dreiskens said "I can't keep myself from crying tears of joy."