Close calls and controversy were a hot topic at the Paris Olympics, with referees and officials coming under more scrutiny than ever before, thanks to improved technology and spontaneous reactions on social media.
In judo, the controversial loss of Japan’s Shinichi Shinohara to France’s David Douillet in the final of the 2000 Sydney Olympics was the catalyst for the introduction of video review. The availability of video recordings and cutting-edge technology now allows other sports to develop similar systems while improving referee training.
In the quarter-finals of the Paris Men’s Football Championship, Mao Hosoya’s first-half equaliser for Japan against eventual world champions Spain initially counted, but the video referee found the striker’s foot was just offside, highlighting how precise and useful technology can be.
Japan’s Mao Hosoya (left) scores against Spain during the first half of the men’s soccer quarterfinals at the Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 2, 2024, at Lyon Stadium in France. The goal was disallowed for offside. (Kyodo)
Japan’s Yuki Kawamura (R) blocks a three-point shot by France’s Matthew Strazel during the fourth quarter of a Group B basketball game of the Paris Olympics at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, on July 30, 2024. (Kyodo)
Japan, meanwhile, was denied a historic win over France in the men’s basketball group stage after Yuki Kawamura fouled with 10 seconds left on Matthew Strazel’s successful three-pointer, and the resulting free throw ultimately sent the game into overtime.
Debate erupted on social media over whether Kawamura actually touched Strazel during the play, which was not reviewed on-site via video. Kawamura said after the game: “It was a tough decision for me.”
Judoka Ryuju Nagayama was controversially knocked out in a men’s 60-kilogram bout, this time confirmed after a video review. In response to Mexican referee Elizabeth Gonzalez’s request to temporarily pause the fight, he loosened his grip while Spaniard Francisco Garrigos continued to apply a chokehold before winning by ippon.
File photo shows Japan’s Ryuju Nagayama (bottom) after his loss to Spain’s Francisco Garrigos by ippon in the men’s judo -60 kilograms quarterfinals of the Paris Olympic Games at the Champ-de-Mars arena in Paris on July 27, 2024. (Kyodo)
Upon reviewing the video, the All Japan Judo Federation found that Garrigos’ chokehold continued for about six seconds after being told to stop, and immediately filed a written complaint with the International Judo Federation, but received “no satisfactory response.”
Synchronised swimming has seen frequent rule changes, causing confusion in Paris. In the technical performance, a protest led to a large point deduction against Japan being overturned, but the team’s coach claimed that some countries had performed lifts that should have been banned and that there had been a “complete lack of information” before the Games.
Diving is the other end of the spectrum. Here, former judges with a wealth of international competition experience evaluate the Olympic judges behind the scenes. Those who give evaluations that fall well outside the limits set by the former judges are relieved of their duties.
In the bouldering and lead category of sport climbing, Ai Mori took first place in lead climbing, but missed the podium in the women’s category after scoring zero points on the first of her four boulder problems.
Japan’s Ai Mori reacts after failing the first boulder problem during the women’s sport climbing bouldering and lead finals at the Paris Olympic Games at Le Bourget climbing stadium outside Paris on Aug. 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
The starting holds were positioned in such a way that the 154-centimeter-tall climber could not reach them even with a running start. The British Daily Mail ran an article with social media posts questioning the fairness of those who set up these problems.
“Part of me is not happy with the decisions,” said cyclist Kaiya Ota after the Japanese medal hopeful was demoted in the men’s sprint and disqualified in the keirin. “But I have to accept that my fate is in the hands of the judges because of my ability to perform.”
Japanese cyclist Kaiya Ota (front left) speaks to reporters after the men’s keirin race at the Paris Olympic Games at the National Velodrome outside Paris on Aug. 11, 2024. (Kyodo)
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Olympic Games: Japan breaks new ground and uses its strengths in Paris
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