The International Skating Union has concluded there is no evidence right now that American figure skater Mariah Bell intentionally injured South Korean competitor Eun-Soo Lim, reports the BBC.
On Wednesday, Lim accused Bell of intentionally injuring her during warm ups at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, according to SFGate.
The injury is reported have happened as the two figure skaters were preparing for the women’s short program in Saitama, Japan. Video shows Bell extending her leg as she skated and making slight contact with Lim.
“Based on the evidence at hand at this point in time, which includes a video, there is no evidence that Ms. Bell intended any harm to Ms. Lim,” the ISU said in a statement.
A Korea Skating Union official agreed.
“At this stage, we can’t conclude Bell caused the injury on purpose…It is hard to tell just by watching the video footage of the incident” a Korea Skating Union official said.
There had been reports from the All That Sports agency that Bell had been bullying Lim for months before the incident occurred.
Competing in her first senior worlds, Lim achieved a score just ahead of Bell and earned fifth place.
One thing that many were quick to point out was that Bell had failed to apologize to Lim after she had cut her calf.
“Mariah Bell didn’t apologize to Lim Eun-Soo after the incident and instead continued to rehearse for her routine” an All That Sports official said.
“We believe this is not a minor situation that can happen in an official rehearsal” the official added.
The Japan Times reports Korea “verbally reported” the incident to the ISU, but did not file a formal complaint.
“The ISU met with delegates from both USA and Korea and urged both parties to find an amicable solution. The ISU maintains that this remains the appropriate approach,” the governing body told the Japan Times.
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