Russia defend Sotnikova gold as Canada, US set for hockey

Russian coaches hit back today at suggestions that figure skating judges favoured teenage Olympic champion Adelina Sotnikova as Canada geared up for a crunch hockey semi-final against the USA.
Sotnikova dethroned South Korea's Vancouver 2010 champion Kim Yu-Na on a night of drama and controversy at the Iceberg Skating Palace, with the 5.48-point gap between the pair raising eyebrows.
Basking in Thursday's victory in front of a full house of passionate home fans, the delighted gold medallist batted away questions about the judging, saying her victory was "a gift to Russia".
On Friday, Sotnikova's choreographer Pyotr Chernyshov insisted the 17-year-old -- winner of Russia's first ever women's individual figure skating gold -- was a worthy champion.

"We were following the rules that the modern game was offering and we won this game," the former Russian-American ice dancer told a packed press conference.
"You have to be an expert in figure skating to know the rules now. When you ask a professional figure skater there is no doubt who won on the night."

Kim, 23, who confirmed she was retiring from competition after a glittering career, refused to be drawn into the swirling debate in the immediate aftermath of her victory.
But American Ashley Wagner, who finished seventh, said she was "speechless" about the result after seeing some of Kim's dance.

Kim skated last, shortly before 4:00am Korean time, and Korean TV commentators voiced surprise, verging on shock at the final result.
Within hours, the website of the popular online campaigning forum, Change.Org, crashed as hundreds of thousands logged on to sign a petition calling for a review of the judges' scores.
On Friday, the number who had signed the petition had soared to 1.6 million.