PARIS -- Disgraced French figure skating chief Didier Gailhaguet remains openly defiant, saying he still doesn't know why he was punished for the Salt Lake City Olympics pairs scandal.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday to showcase the upcoming Trophee Lalique, Gailhaguet also said he will continue attending international competitions despite being barred from areas reserved for accredited officials.

"I don't even know why I was sanctioned," he said.

Gailhaguet and French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne were each banned for three years by the International Skating Union for their roles in the pairs scandal.

The ISU council said in April that it had ample evidence Le Gougne was pressured by Gailhaguet into voting for the Russians over the Canadians in the pairs event. Both couples wound up with gold medals.

Gailhaguet has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. And he said Tuesday that he believes he could have had his suspension overturned, but decided not to appeal to preserve the French Skating Federation's image.

Gailhaguet was re-elected president of the federation in May.

"To isolate our federation and its young athletes would have been a bad choice. My soul-searching must largely be put aside," he said.

The suspensions, which also cover the 2006 Winter Olympics, ban Gailhaguet and Le Gougne from areas at ISU events open only to accredited officials. They can be in areas open to spectators.

The ISU sent Gailhaguet a warning letter after he was alleged to have violated the ban at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Courchevel, France, last August.

But he said that won't stop him from attending future competitions, including Trophee Lalique.

"I won't be accredited, but I will certainly be present," he said, "in the same way that I will be present at all competitions."