1984 Brian Orser - Olympics SP

This was the first look most Americans had of Brian Orser, a uniquely original and dynamic skater. One could easily argue that he actually WON "TWO" Olympic Gold Medals. He stood by like a gentleman in waiting at Scott Hamilton's coronation, and then 4 years later, when the judges should have been on his side and giving him the benefit of the doubt, hopping quickly off a triple flip takes you out of the running...and in your own country too!! Oh! Canada.... Boitano's wonderful program was great, but Orser's program was adequate to win....and he should have been awarded the marks to make that happen. I will never understand figure skating judging.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• figure
• skating
• 1984
• Olympics
• Men
• Brian
• Orser
• Short
• Program
• SP

[k9henrydog]

6.0 or NO for YO.......2010!!!!!

Join the Underground Rebellion to destroy the COPS scoring system, and return our sport to the 6.0 standard the fans love...........best wishes

[renzy79]

Hamilton deserved his gold in 1984. You can't apply the rules of today to the technical standard of a quarter century ago. That would be unfair. The champions of the past were more balanced all around skaters because of the school figures. Hamilton's proficiency and Orser's deficiencu at the time in this area was sufficient to make Hamilton the All Around Olympic Champion.

[k9henrydog]

Much as I like Scott, I still believe if his Olympic free skating LP had been given the marks it deserved........he would have fallen from the top spot...........it's here on YOUTUBE to watch, decide for yourself. By the same token, we have no idea whether or not Orser was marked lower on his figures, just to insure he did not have a chance to challenge in the free skate........but perhaps I am 'paranoid'......it's water under the bridge anyway.....skating is an ugly 'business'....best wishes

[funkydreads]

What hasn't been mentioned is that Boitano in the judges eyes improved enough in artistic marks. Sandra Bezic did just enough with Boitano to make him better. If he had been the same skater artistically that he was the year before, there is no way he would have won. Orser is one of the most artistic and musical skaters ever to come along. Far ahead of Boitano and others. The only way Boitano won was to skate the performance of his life (like Tara Lipinsky and Sara Hughes) when they had to.

[k9henrydog]

That is all true, but I have read that Boitano actually won the competition on the last school figure...BO change loop. The points he scored there, gave him the margin in what was essentially a tied SP and LP....but it is true that judges will note changes and improvements in skaters, year to year. Quite a psychological battle!!!!!thanks for your insight! best wishes

[k9henrydog]

I can only counter with this thought, World judges don't tie things, unless they know (in the back of their minds) that the tie will accomplish the dirty deed they want done, without them having to take the heat for the marks. I think the only answer is to quote a very famous poster from the Salt Lake City games -- POLYGRAPGH THE JUDGES!! But I am glad we can still argue about it 20 years later!! best wishes

[skaterboy3718]

I have to say I forgot really just how lucky Scott was to win OGM. I mean he had the school figures but unfortunately by 1984 Orser was just a far superior free skater not only technically but artistically (I had forgotten Orser really was more than a technician.)

[Zuranthium]

@renzy79 Orser was marked ahead of Hamilton in the SP. Boitano should have been as well. He wasn't because Hamilton was the "top American". Edge quality, yes...that's pretty much the ONLY thing Hamilton had over those two. His speed wasn't anything special in the SP.

[renzy79]

@Zuranthium The truth is that both of us understand that the marks are conservative when you are not in the final flight. They took themselves out of it by finishing 7th & 8th (Orser & Boitano) in the compulsories. If they had skated in the final flight then the story may have been different for their short program scores. I would also like to add that Hamilton's speed was excellent as well as his footwork and the overall edge quality throughout his routine + the clean edge takeoff on the 2ax.

[Zuranthium]

@renzy79 EVERY spin Boitano did in the SP was better than Hamilton's. EVERY jump Boitano did was better as well. The footwork sequence is the only technical element where you could possibly say Hamilton was better but, even though, Boitano had an excellent footwork sequence as well. Hamilton's artistry wasn't amazing or anything. It's a no-brainer who should have placed higher if you're being objective. The fact is Boitano did way better technically and the judges didn't score it as such.

[renzy79]

@Zuranthium I respectfully disagree. Hamilton's fundamentals in spins footwork and speed were sufficient for second place in both skating phases. Hamilton's brilliance in the school figures are legendary,

[Zuranthium]

@renzy79 Hamilton was overscored in the SP and LP. Even WITH figures taken into consideration (which I don't trust the placements of in the first place), Orser deserved to win the 1984 Olympics. Hamilton should have been 3rd in the SP and 4th in the LP, compared to Orser being 1st in both the SP and LP.

[Zuranthium]

@funkydreads Boitano's program in 1988 was better than Orser's. He never showed that amount of artistic talent before that performance but, WOW, did he deliver. Still stands up as one of the best performances ever. He deserved 6.0's.

[getrealandsee]

I also admire and respect Brian for his champion's attitude when he didn't win. He said he was deeply disappointed and so honest about thinking he was going to win but congratulated Brian B and refused to rain on his parade. That is a true sportsmanship and Brian is a true gentleman!

[getrealandsee]

I love this guy...so neat to see him as Yuna Kim's coach...throws himself into everything she does and Yuna is a incredibly talented young woman. It's so much fun to watch these two at competitions. It's like a two for one treat..Brian and Yuna. Love it..love it!

[stogieman2]

@renzy79

come on now.....Orser won the short and the long.....the c.f. should not have been so important