Zhariken
09-05-2003, 07:56 PM
http://espn.go.com/oly/news/2003/0905/1609901.html?partnersite=espn
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Shimanskaya charged with defrauding casinos
MADRID, Spain -- A Russian rhythmic gymnast who won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics was arrested and charged with defrauding Spanish casinos of thousands of dollars by cheating at poker.
Vera Shimanskaya and a male compatriot were arrested in the tourist town of Pucol on Tuesday after the owner of the Monte Picayo casino complained the Olympian and her friend were playing with marked cards, police said.
The 22-year-old woman was charged with fraud. She was released Thursday after paying $3,300 in bail, news reports said.
The pair had won up to $9,800 each night during visits to casinos in Alicante and Malaga this summer, the Spanish daily El Mundo reported Thursday. One casino owner in Malaga, wary of her continued success at the poker table, warned other casinos.
Security guards at Monte Picayo trained cameras on the suspects and called police to arrest the pair for cheating at poker. The gymnast and her partner were led away in handcuffs at a hotel.
Shimanskaya was on Russia's gold medalist team at the 2000 Games. By the time she left the sport in 2001, she held two world and two European championship titles. The Russian Sports Agency conferred on her the title of Honored Master of Sports.
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[ QUOTE ]
Shimanskaya charged with defrauding casinos
MADRID, Spain -- A Russian rhythmic gymnast who won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics was arrested and charged with defrauding Spanish casinos of thousands of dollars by cheating at poker.
Vera Shimanskaya and a male compatriot were arrested in the tourist town of Pucol on Tuesday after the owner of the Monte Picayo casino complained the Olympian and her friend were playing with marked cards, police said.
The 22-year-old woman was charged with fraud. She was released Thursday after paying $3,300 in bail, news reports said.
The pair had won up to $9,800 each night during visits to casinos in Alicante and Malaga this summer, the Spanish daily El Mundo reported Thursday. One casino owner in Malaga, wary of her continued success at the poker table, warned other casinos.
Security guards at Monte Picayo trained cameras on the suspects and called police to arrest the pair for cheating at poker. The gymnast and her partner were led away in handcuffs at a hotel.
Shimanskaya was on Russia's gold medalist team at the 2000 Games. By the time she left the sport in 2001, she held two world and two European championship titles. The Russian Sports Agency conferred on her the title of Honored Master of Sports.
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