The Russian Skating Federation's protest against the marks awarded Russian figure skater Irina Slutskaya in the ladies short and free programs was dismissed Saturday afternoon by International Skating Union figure skating referee Britta Lindgren.
Lindgren's decision to throw out the Russians' protest was based on an ISU general regulation which states that any protest must be filed immediately following the event in question.
The ladies short program was held on Tuesday; the Russians did not file their protest until Thursday following the ladies long program in which Sarah Hughes of the United States won the gold and Slutskaya won the silver.
Lindgren confirmed the marks awarded Slutskaya in the ladies free program, saying the scores given were fair and correct.
The Russian Skating Federation had claimed the marks were low given the quality of Slutskaya's program.
Russian Olympic officials maintain that Slutskaya's performance deserved the gold medal.