PARIS (NEXSTAR) – With the Eiffel Tower in the background, the U.S. figure skating team that medaled at the 2022 Beijing Olympics finally received their gold medals during a special ceremony on Wednesday. It’s been 2 ½ years since the American skaters left the Winter Games without a medal.

“It’s incredible to be here. We’re so thankful for IOC and USOPC for getting us all here,” American figure skater Zachary Donohue said.

The U.S. team placed second in Beijing behind the Russians including teenage star Kamila Valieva, who within hours was implicated in a doping case that took almost two years to judge.

After a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week, the U.S. moved up to gold and Japan to silver.

“It’s just elation, all of the emotions of the last 2 ½ years. Our entire careers and lives dedicated to this sport coming to the most beautiful point here in Paris,” Madison Chock said.

Chock, who married teammate Evan Bates in June, described Wednesday’s celebration as “one of the happiest moments” of her life.

The team of nine U.S. skaters accepted their medals together in front of an elated crowd at Champions Park in Paris.

“We watched the Olympics our whole lives. We’ve seen so many athletes on top of the podium getting an Olympic gold medal and hearing the national anthem and then it just hit me that it’s happening to us,” Bates said. “It’s surreal.”

Athletes expressed how special it was to be able to share the moment surrounded by their loved ones, which would not have happened if they had received their medals in Beijing because of COVID precautions.

“Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t have been able to celebrate with friends and family,” Donohue said. “So, we’re really blessed, we’re grateful.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.