标签： Asia

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — A dramatic power shift is unfolding in Olympic snowboarding as American dominance in the halfpipe gives way to Japanese supremacy. Where U.S. athletes once routinely claimed podium positions in the sport they pioneered, only defending champion Chloe Kim now remains as a legitimate medal contender for Team USA in current Winter Games competitions.

This tectonic change stems from contrasting national approaches to sporting infrastructure and athlete development. While Japan has aggressively invested in training facilities—including dry-slope complexes, expensive safety airbags, and year-round training programs—the United States has witnessed an alarming disappearance of halfpipes across its resorts. Industry experts estimate fewer than six operational halfpipes remain nationwide.

The consequences are starkly visible in Olympic results. Between 2002 and 2010, American riders captured 12 of 18 available halfpipe medals while Japan won none. In the subsequent three Olympics, the U.S. secured just six medals with only one (Shaun White’s 2018 gold) coming from the men’s competition, while Japan collected five medals, four by male athletes.

Olympic champion Kelly Clark, who emerged from Vermont’s now-diminished halfpipe scene, expresses concern about the sport’s accessibility. ‘If I were looking 15 years down the road at halfpipe and how common that will be at a resort, that I would say could be a little concerning,’ Clark noted. ‘Will it be that relatable sport that everyone can kind of watch, and participate in?’

The infrastructure challenge is compounded by economic realities. Resort operators increasingly favor slopestyle courses—added to the Olympics in 2014—which require less expensive construction and maintenance while appealing to broader audiences. Constructing a competition-grade 22-foot halfpipe demands specialized engineering skills and significant ongoing upkeep.

Shannon Dunn-Downing, 1998 bronze medalist, posed the existential question in a recent Slush Magazine editorial: ‘Is Halfpipe Dead?’ She observed that poorly maintained pipes go unused, creating a vicious cycle where resorts see little value in investing in quality facilities.

Meanwhile, Japan has built what Rick Bower, director of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard program, describes as an ‘army’ of developmental athletes. Decades of systematically sending large teams overseas for training have evolved into comprehensive training camps in Switzerland with dozens of riders and multiple coaches.

This systematic approach extends beyond the halfpipe. In big air events at the current Games, Japan has claimed three of six medals while the United States produced just one finalist and no podium finishes.

Zach Nigro, Burton’s senior sports marketing director, suggests cultural factors may contribute to Japan’s success: ‘Their thought might be, it’s a difficult discipline, but if you’re going to be the best, then master the most difficult discipline.’

American officials acknowledge the challenge and are implementing corrective measures, including a potential $65 million endowment aimed at reclaiming dominance when the Olympics return to Salt Lake City in 2034. As Bower conceded: ‘Because of [past complacency], we’re now in a position where we’re behind and we need to do some catch-up.’

MILAN — Olympic organizers have issued a formal apology after the medal podium at the Milano Ice Skating Arena caused unexpected damage to figure skaters’ blades during team medal celebrations. The abrasive anti-slip surface resulted in nicks and blemishes on the precision equipment of multiple athletes, prompting concerns about competitive impact.

Among those affected were American gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates, along with Japanese silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto, who immediately inspected her blades while celebrating. The Japanese Olympic Committee subsequently filed an official complaint regarding the podium’s problematic surface.

In response to the incident, the Milan Cortina organizing committee announced immediate corrective measures. “We are taking steps to replace the surface to prevent a reoccurrence,” stated officials, while also arranging for complimentary blade-sharpening services and additional training sessions for the impacted teams from the United States, Japan, and Italy.

The committee praised the Olympic spirit demonstrated by National Olympic Committees offering assistance to affected athletes from other countries. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused and reiterate our commitment to ensuring the best possible conditions for all athletes,” the statement concluded.

The timing raised competitive concerns as some speculated whether blade damage might have contributed to Chock and Bates’ narrow defeat to French competitors Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron in Monday’s rhythm dance event. However, Bates dismissed such theories, stating, “I think the skates are fine. The blades are good. We skated great. We felt like it was really strong.”

Organizers have scheduled the next medal ceremony for Tuesday afternoon following the mixed team relay in short-track speedskating, with the next figure skating medal presentation set for Wednesday night. All future podium events will feature a resurfaced platform to prevent further equipment damage.