Olympic-gate – Not Again!!!

As the 2006 Winter Olympic Games approach, many are reflecting on the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics controversies (Figure Skating judging scandal, Korean Speed Skater disqualification) in hopes such “contested contests” will not surface again! Well… we can all dream, can’t we?!?!

Even before this year’s quadrennial Winter Games begins in Torino, Italy on February 10th, the USA team has already been mired in controversy. Whether it be the recent self-admission of drunk skiing by Bode Miller, the firing of Skeleton Coach Tim Nardiello for “coaching improprieties” (ex: sexual harassment allegations made against him), or the special “exception selection” of Michelle Kwan for the Figure Skating Team, these last few weeks have been nothing short of outrageous! But then again, it’s the Olympics – the showcase for the world’s greatest athletes who have been preparing for this capstone competition for most of their lives, and where everything is now, “on-the-line”.

Looking ahead to Torino, there will likely be more controversy, unfortunately, than in Salt Lake City! For starters, several events require judges to assess the competitors for style, artistry and athletic ability: Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing (Aerials & Moguls), Snowboard Half-Pipe, Ski Jumping, and Nordic Combined. Needless to say, whenever subjectivity enters the picture, there will always be close scrutiny, second-guessing, and armchair opinions about these evaluators.

Similarly, for Short Track Speed Skating and the new event, Snowboardcross, officials will also be carefully observing any instances of interference among the racers and will not hesitate to disqualify a competitor based on this judgment call.

So, how do athletes mentally or physically prepare for and prevent such decision-making from impacting them? Speed Skater Apolo Anton Ohno has often acknowledged that years of training and preparation can be swept away due to a disqualification – even if a skater inadvertently cuts-off another skater during a race. And, U.S. Team snowboardcrosser, Nate Holland (below), has also stressed the need to “race clean” and avoid any form of physical contact with other boarders - else he may be lamenting a judging decision.

All we can do is wait, watch, and wonder as this drama unfolds…