‘Irate’ 2022 Olympics announcer loses his mind over Ayumu Hirano judging controversy

[Kamaji]

‘Irate’ 2022 Olympics announcer loses his mind over Ayumu Hirano judging controversy

By Jeremy Layton
February 11, 2022

The 2022 Olympics almost had yet another controversy on their hands in the men’s snowboarding halfpipe final, as many – including (and perhaps especially) NBC broadcaster Todd Richards – thought eventual gold medalist Ayumu Hirano was robbed by the judges on his immaculate second run.

After falling on his first attempt, the 23-year-old Hirano laid down a spectacular run on his second try, beginning by landing a triple cork (the hardest trick in snowboarding) for the first time in Olympic history and throwing down four more technically brilliant tricks without falling. Almost immediately after landing it, Richards declared that “it’s over” and “no one will touch that run.”

“That is gonna be a 98,” Richards said.

Apparently, the judges did not agree. Not only did Hirano not get the lofty score the broadcast predicted, the 91.75 wasn’t even enough to get him into first place ahead of Australian Scotty James.

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“As far as I’m concerned, the judges just grenaded all their credibility,” Richards said. “That run — I’ve been doing this for so long. So long. I know what a good run looks like.

“I know the ingredients of a winning run. I know when I see the best run that’s ever been done in a halfpipe. Try to tell me where you’re deducting from this run. It’s unbelievable that this is even happening. It’s a travesty to be completely honest with you. I am irate right now.”

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Source:  https://nypost.com/2022/02/11/irate-2022-olympics-announcer-loses-his-mind-over-ayumu-hirano-judging-controversy/

[Cyber Liberty]

"Performance Sports" is the biggest reason I refuse to watch any Olympic "sports."  If a Judge is required to asses winners and losers, then it isn't a sport.  It's performance art.

[mountaineer]

"Performance Sports" is the biggest reason I refuse to watch any Olympic "sports."  If a Judge is required to asses winners and losers, then it isn't a sport.  It's performance art.

Quite agree. If the "judge" is something other than a stopwatch, measuring tape or scoreboard (in the case of basketball), the result may be suspect.