The star American figure skater accused of injuring a South Korean rival with her skate blade was “unaware” of the incident and has apologized, according to a new report.
The management agency for 16-year-old Lim Eun-soo, All That Sports, alleged that Mariah Bell, 22, came up behind her rival during their final warm-up before the ladies’ short program at the International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan, Wednesday night.
Then she “suddenly kicked and stabbed Lim’s calf with her skate blades” and “didn’t apologize,” the management agency said, adding that the act appeared premeditated.
But since the incident, the International Skating Union held a meeting with players from both countries, Korean outlet Daum Sports reported.
At the meeting, a US official said Bell was unaware of the clash and wanted to apologize to Eun-soo — but couldn’t because the training music had begun, a Korean ice skating foundation representative told the outlet.
The foundation “immediately forwarded” the apology to Eun-soo, who intends to accept it through her agency, according to the report.
Other figure skaters were quick to come to Bell’s defense on social media.
“This article is click bait,” Adam Rippon, also a Team USA star, tweeted. “I’ve been to the rink multiple times and NO ONE has been bullying anyone. Stop creating shit and spreading rumors. What happened in the warm up was an accident. Don’t distract both Eunsoo and Mariah from the competition.”
“Mariah and Eunsoo are competitive and train all the time together at home. Bullying is something Rafael would never tolerate,” he added, referring to the skaters’ mutual coach, Rafael Arutyunyan, whom they train with in Los Angeles.
His comments were retweeted by French figure skater Romain Ponsart.
Meanwhile, the International Skating Union said that the incident was “verbally reported to the ISU by the Korean Team Leader, however no formal complaint has been received.”
“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 statement said. “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.”
Bell, who began skating at 3 years old, was born in Tulsa, Okla., and raised in Monument, Colo., according to her Team USA profile.



