LIVIGNO, Italy — During the exhilarating opening night of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Red Gerard stood at the top of a daunting 170-foot ramp, ready to make his mark. With a strong score of 83.50 needed to qualify for the men’s snowboard big air finals, Gerard launched into a complex backside 1620 mute—a feat requiring remarkable skill and precision. He executed the trick flawlessly but the score flashed on the scoreboard: 72.00. A heavy shrug told the story; Gerard’s heart wasn’t truly in it. “I am not a fan of big air at all,” he confessed later. This sentiment not only captures his personal desire but also highlights a significant flaw in the Olympics snowboarding format: the unyielding pressure to compete across different disciplines, a dynamic that reveals deeper tensions within the sport.
The Dichotomy of Snowboarding: Specialization vs. Obligation
The requirement for snowboarders to compete in both slopestyle and big air symbolizes a long-standing defect in Olympic snowboarding. This enforced dual participation forces athletes like Gerard, a slopestyle virtuoso with a 2018 Olympic gold medal in his locker, to engage in an event that doesn’t resonate with their passion. “If I wasn’t forced to do this, I wouldn’t do it,” he remarked, emphasizing the absurdity of expecting athletes to excel in disparate skill sets. This echoes the sentiment of many athletes who feel pigeonholed by the Olympic structure that fails to recognize specialized talent.
| Stakeholders | Before the Event | After the Event |
|---|---|---|
| Red Gerard | Top American slopestyle snowboarder with a gold medal. | 20th place in big air; facing an unclear future in the event. |
| Olympic Committee | Continues with combined snowboarding format. | Criticized for limiting athletes’ potential and passion. |
| Fans | Excitement for mixed competition. | Disappointment at athlete indifference. |
| Future Snowboarders | Inspired by the sport’s top talents. | Questioning the sustainability of specialization. |
Underlying Motivations and Strategic Goals
Gerard’s outspokenness is more than just a personal grievance; it serves as a tactical hedge against a sport grappling with identity. By rejecting the prescribed format, he questions the Olympic Committee’s commitment to fostering individual talent. The pressure to compete in both big air and slopestyle could dilute the unique artistry and expression that make snowboarding compelling. This decision reflects a misalignment between athlete desires and Olympic operational structures. The clear delineation of events would honor the specialized prowess that each discipline demands, mirroring other athletic frameworks that allow for focused individual events.
The Global Impact: A Localized Ripple Effect
The effects of Gerard’s statements resonate beyond the competition grounds in Livigno, echoing through various markets. In the United States, snowboarding continues to gain popularity as a youth sport, raising questions about event structures affecting athlete recruitment and retention. Meanwhile, in Canada and Australia, nations with strong winter sports programs are eyeing how this debate might influence their future Olympic strategies. As for the United Kingdom, there’s a growing interest in supporting specialized training paths that could yield world-class performers without the constraint of forced participation.
Projected Outcomes: What’s Next for Snowboarding?
- Long-Term Structural Changes: The Olympic Committee may reassess the combined formats in future competitions, potentially allowing for separate events.
- Increased Athlete Advocacy: More athletes may begin vocalizing their concerns, leading to a collective push for reform that better aligns with their skills.
- Shift in Fan Engagement: As audience preferences evolve, organizers might develop events that capture the unique artistry of each discipline without the enforced duality.
As Red Gerard prepares for the upcoming men’s slopestyle event on February 16, the trajectory of Olympic snowboarding hangs in the balance. The ongoing discussion about specialization vs. obligation points to a critical crossroads that could redefine the sport’s future in the Olympics.
