The Ref Zone: Olympics, Officials & Beach Volleyball

Cody Kuxmann is a Referee at the London Society Of Rugby Football Union Referees, while studying International Relations at Richmond, The American International University in London. He lives in Richmond Upon Thames but hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He officiates Rugby Union and Rugby League.

LONDON, ENGLAND – I often wonder what it would be like to referee on the biggest stage in the world… The Olympics.  I imagine what would it be like to referee the gold medal game of a sport, knowing that it is one of the most important games worldwide. The pressure would be amazing and if you got it correct the enjoyment would be amazing.  Getting it wrong would be unimaginable – just ask the 1972 Team USA Basketball Team…

Fast forward to the 3:05 mark

Fortunately for these Olympics, we’ve seen fairly little from the officials.  That has a lot to do with the games themselves, which by their very nature  take the officials out of the game. Very few actually incorporate or rely only on a physical person – like Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer.  These are the games that catch my attention the most because it’s where human error can break a game.

However, we have yet to see many “intriguing” calls, there are two that come to my mind – The Japanese Men’s gymnastics team, and also the South Korean Fencer, Shin A-Lim.  Now both of these incidents were handled with the up-most professionalism from the officials and were also in the eyes of the IOC correct.  Both were reviewed using technology, and the outcomes were determined.

Perhaps the largest Olympic controversy is not with the officiating or the female swimmer from China. Perhaps it’s the new beach volleyball uniforms.  They are an odd addition to what we have seen in the past. Granted, London nights get fairly cold, however the suits worn at the previous Olympics as compared to the AVP tour (professional volleyball tour) are nothing too skimpy.  Also, seeing some of the reactions to the new uniforms has been interesting.  Misty May and Kerri Walsh for instance, have opted to go for long sleeves simply because they play their games at night.  It’s interesting to see the new change that may allow for more modest nations to play, so this may provide for a better competition within the Olympics.

So, how do you feel the officials in the Olympics have handled it and has anything really stood out for you?

 

Filed in: Cody Kuxmann
Tagged with: 1972 olympic basketball • Beach volleyball • dream team • gymnastics • Japan • kerri walsh • misty may-treanor • Olympic Officials • olympic soccer • olympic volleyball • Olympics • Shin A-Lim • South Korea • Summer Olympics • swimsuits • volleyball suits