The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says the Beijing Winter Olympics medal ceremony for the figure skating team event has been delayed due to an unspecified, last-minute "legal consultation".

There were no details given on reasons for the delay but, with four Russian skaters — including 15-year-old sensation Kamila Valieva — not attending their planned training sessions on Wednesday, the ceremony's postponement has raised questions.

The ceremony had initially been moved to Tuesday evening from Monday before being postponed indefinitely.

On Monday, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team placed first in the gold medal event, with Valieva landing the first quadruple jumps by a woman in Olympic competition.

The United States took silver and Japan claimed bronze.

"A situation arose at short notice that requires legal consultation," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said, without providing any details on the nature of the ongoing consultation.

"I cannot give you any more details but we will do our utmost."

Mr Adams said the ceremony would take place as soon as possible.

Valieva was one of the four ROC athletes — along with pairs dancers Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov, and Mark Kondratiuk — who did not appear at their practice sessions on Wednesday.

It was not clear why they did not train.

Kondratiuk also represented the ROC team and competed in Tuesday's individual short program.

He advanced to the finals that are scheduled on Thursday.

Russian athletes are competing in Beijing as representatives of the ROC rather than under their home nation's flag, due to doping sanctions.

Reuters