Marcus Kleveland, a 26-year-old snowboarder from Dombås, has voiced his disappointment over finishing fourth in the Olympic slopestyle final, feeling that he was unfairly judged after a close competition. Having previously garnered numerous accolades such as X-games medals and world championships, the Olympic medal is the one prize that has eluded him. During the final, Kleveland scored only 0.4 points less than the bronze medalist, Jake Canter, highlighting the competitiveness of the event.

Kleveland indicated that he believed his performance should have placed him within the top three, despite his respect for the competitors who did medal. He pointed out perceived inconsistencies in judging, suggesting that other competitors repeated tricks without facing the penalties they should have. The frustration stems not only from having narrowly missed the podium but also from what he believes to be unfair judging practices that can significantly affect the outcomes of such tightly contested events.

His feelings have been echoed by teammates, including Bendik Gjerdalen, who support Kleveland’s stance on the judging process in competitive snowboarding. This incident not only brings attention to Kleveland's Olympic aspirations but also raises important questions about the consistency and transparency of scoring in judged sports. Such discussions could prompt further scrutiny of judging criteria in the future, particularly as they relate to high-stakes competitions like the Olympics.