Brian Orser (CAN) - 1984 Sarajevo, Men's Long Program

[schulz1]

Everybody talks about how Orser should or should not have won the Olympics in 88. But the real question is, whether he should have actually won here. His free and short programmes were so good in 84, clearly above anybody else. Others should have beaten Hamilton in the free to allow Brian to win. Brian should have won here, despite the compulsory figures.

[mlc2005]

I agree with another poster who commented that Orser was the Janet Lynn of these games, and Hamilton was the Trixie Schuba. I'm actually surprised, looking back, that there was even an audience for figure skating during this era, when mediocre free skates kept getting gold medals over incredible, mind blowing performances. Where was the outrage, and why did it take so long for things to change?

[victoriaindigo]

Damn those Compulsory Figures

And yet Orser came back just as strong in 88! '

And I have no clue if CF were still around in 88

[3Axel1996]

@victoriaindigo They were still around in 1988. The last year CF were competed at an ISU event was the 1989-1990 season. After 1984, many skaters who were experts in performing CFs retired (such as Scott and Jean-Claude Simond), so Orser, Boitano and Sabovcik were able to move up the ranks significantly next season.

[victoriaindigo]

@3Axel1996 Thanks for the info, I had no idea when CF were stopped. 

[nivbri]

Figures were too important - it is performances like this that would lead them to be abolished.

[nivbri]

@nivbri LOL I could post the exact same thing on Hamilton''s page! LOL.

[safehaven11]

Energy Energy Energy! Brian Orser would've won in Calgary if he skated like this.

This was a wonderful program to watch.

[rickram1961]

I truly think Brian Orser should have been the Gold Medal winner over Scott Hamilton. Though Brian didn't have the artistry of Scott's, he technically outstanding.

[barkingtree88]

the music in the men's event was so weird during the Hamilton era!

[amandakova]

The real winner is Brian Orser, no doubt it. Scott should get the silver but i think it was the judges decisions and we can do nothing but to share our comments.

[Alexanadu]

damn he was hot back then

[nosuchpersonvideo]

I've seen this performance many times, but only just saw Scott Hamilton's a few minutes ago. Talk about a world of difference. Brian skated circles around Scott is Sarajevo. But the circles turned on Brian. Boring, unwatchable compulsory figures cost Brian his gold.

[legia671]

@nosuchpersonvideo Scott Hamilton won this competiton for a good reason. He is a better technician and all round skater.

[Zuranthium]

@legia671 Hamilton wasn't a better technician at all. He won the competition because he was held up. Didn't even deserve 2nd place in both the SP and LP...

[legia671]

Biran Orser's program was fantastic. I am not a figure skater. I live in desert where it is 40C. We watch figure skating to cool off. I just think Scott Hamilton moves better on the ice- its nicer to watch. Its faster and cleaner and more effortless.

[Zuranthium]

@legia671 I see what you're saying now. All of that falls into the "Presentation" mark, though. In terms of Technical merit Orser did a Triple Axel, which Hamilton didn't even attempt, and he did a Triple Flip, which Hamilton completely popped.

In terms of skating skills Hamilton was the best. I don't think his actual artistry was special, though. He wasn't especially inventive or musical. He just had tons of energy (not as much at this competition, though) and superb edges and blade control.

[gshassan]

How did Scott Hamilton win the Gold??

[3Axel1996]

@gshassan Scott was 1st in Compulsory Figures (then worth 30% of the overall score), while Brian was 7th. Scott was 2nd in the Short Program (worth 20% of the overall score), Brian was 1st. Scott was 2nd in the Long Program (worth 50% of the overall score), Brian was 1st. The deficit Brian had after the figures were too great to overcome.

[TheSienna29]

@3Axel1996 Do you think Scott was overscored in the long program?

[RaymondHng]

@gshassan Hamilton's factored placement was 3.4 and Orser's factored placement was 5.6. Orser would have won gold if he were to have placed 3rd or 2nd in Compulsory Figures.

[gutierrezskating]

@gshassan I'm asking the same question for years!!!!!!!