 However, as Kudukhov had died in a car accident three years earlier, his medal was retained.In a few cases, the IOC has reversed earlier rulings that stripped athletes of medals.In the case of Rick DeMont, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) recognized his gold medal performance in the 1972 Summer Olympics in 2001, but only the IOC has the power to restore his medal, and it has, as of 2019, refused to do so.