Marcus Kleveland, a 26-year-old snowboarder from Dombås, Norway, expressed his frustration after finishing fourth in the slopestyle final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal by just 0.4 points. Known for his impressive medal collection from X Games and World Championships, Kleveland had aimed for an Olympic medal to complete his accolades. Despite his outstanding performance, he felt that the judging did not reflect his skill, especially when he believed that some competitors repeated tricks without appropriate penalties.

In his comments to VG, Kleveland shared his belief that he should have placed within the top three, voicing concerns about the judging criteria. He indicated that while he respects his competitors, he feels the sport has an unwritten rule regarding the repetition of tricks that was not adhered to in his case. This sentiment has left him questioning the fairness of the judging process at such a prestigious international event.

The implications of Kleveland's feelings extend beyond just his personal disappointment; they raise questions about the consistency and transparency of scoring in snowboarding competitions. As the spotlight falls on Olympic judges, Kleveland’s situation may prompt discussions on how future events can ensure fair judgment, especially as athletes train rigorously for the chance to compete at the Olympic level.