Canada keeps tabs as emerging 'legal issue' delays team figure skating medal ceremonyAn ongoing legal issue involving the medallists in the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics has caused the award ceremony to be delayed, the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday.

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Canadians possibly in line for upgrade to podium after finishing 4th

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An ongoing legal issue involving medallists in the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics has caused the award ceremony to be delayed, the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday.

The ceremony to award the Russian team the gold medals, the United States silver and Japan bronze was pulled from its scheduled slot late Tuesday.

Canada placed fourth and could be in line to be upgraded if one of those countries is disqualified.

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman Mark Adams said an "emerging issue" with "legal consultation" required with the governing body of skating was the reason the ceremony was delayed. Details of the case were not specified.

"We have athletes that have won medals involved," Adams said at the daily news briefing.

WATCH | IOC says answers to come in figure skating medals situation:

IOC says answers to come regarding figure skating team event

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The IOC said it will provide an update Wednesday.

In a one-line statement, the International Skating Union also cited ongoing legal talks. A spokesperson for the Canadian Olympic Committee said Canada "is not involved in any way."

Reporters asked the Kremlin about it amid speculation that gold medals won by six Russian skaters could be at risk.

"Let's, for the sake of understanding, wait for some explanations either from our sports officials or from the IOC," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

If any athlete and team were disqualified, an appeal would likely follow to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

WATCH | IOC spokesman Adams discusses legal situation:

IOC confirms 'legal consultations' have postponed Olympic figure skating team event

1 day agoDuration 0:49International Olympic Committee Director of Communications Mark Adams confirmed in a press briefing that a "situation arose...that requires legal consultation" with the International Skating Union, resulting in the postponement of the medal ceremony for the Olympic figure skating team event.0:49

Some skaters in the men's competition are due to finish their events Thursday and leave China soon after.

"Everyone is doing absolutely everything that the situation can be resolved as soon as possible," Adams said.

However, he cautioned "as you know, legal issues can sometimes drag on."

A terrific Olympic debut by teenager Madeline Schizas highlighted Canada's fourth-place finish in the team event.

The Canadians finished with 53 points to edge China (50).

WATCH | Madeline Schizas secures 4th-place finish for Canada:

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