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Fourth-Place Medal, a Yahoo! Sports blog covering the Olympics

Pay no attention to the foreign characters or language unless you understand them. Instead, focus on the dreadlocked gentleman on the left. You'll notice his outfit looks just a little different than his teammates'. That's snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo. He's apologizing at the end of the clip because Japanese officials aren't too happy with the way he wore his suit.

With his sagging pants, untucked shirt, and loosened tie, Kokubo looked like any sloppily dressed 21-year-old. But that's not going to fly. According to one Japanese Olympic Committee official, "It is not the way the Japanese delegation should dress themselves while taxpayers' money is spent on them." Uh-oh.

Kokubo, who is expected to contend for a medal, was banned from a welcoming ceremony in Vancouver after there were complaints about his clothes. The snowboarder followed that up by saying the Olympics are "just another snowboarding event," and that they are "nothing special." Uh-oh again.

The anti-authority stance permeates snowboarding, but there are certain times when you have to play nice. One of those times is the Olympics. Your country is paying for you to represent them. You get the chance of a lifetime to do something hardly anyone else gets to do. And it's all free. Pretty sweet deal. So just go with the flow.

Plus, if you're wearing a suit, wear it like a suit. It's basically the easiest way to look good.

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1346 Comments

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  1. Joe
    1. Posted by Joe Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:23 pm EST

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    Dumb-ass punk. Return the respect your country and the rest of the world is giving you...even though we shouldn't. The Olympics is not an arena to show your sloppy style or to be a rebel. if you can't understand the history of the Olympics and what it represents, then we don't want you there. Idiot!!
  2. Butch D
    2. Posted by Butch D Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:55 pm EST

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    Joe better yet let him board and the judges give him all "0"
    or like you said kick him off the team I bet there is an alternate just begging for a chance
  3. Andrew
    3. Posted by Andrew Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:09 pm EST

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    It's a shame. There's probably an alternate who just didn't make the team by a small margin who dreamed of the chance to walk out there with his tie straight, shirt tucked in and PROUD to represent his country. This guy should be immediately tested for drugs.
  4. Catherine777
    4. Posted by Catherine777 Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:56 pm EST

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    "Just another snowboarding competition"??? Are you kidding me?!?! With a crappy attitude like that, he doesn't deserve to be there representing his country.
  5. Matt P
    5. Posted by Matt P Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:55 pm EST

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    Are you guys joking?
    Snowboarding is an individual sport that's all about person expression. I wouldn't care if he showed up dressed like Razor Ramon/Hard Gay. All I care about, and what I think his Olympic committee should care about is his performance; trust me, I've seen him compete and he's something pretty special.
  6. Joe
    6. Posted by Joe Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:37 pm EST

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    The only person who has gotten this right so far is Matt P. Racist comments should be expected from the majority of idiots who try to be funny when they comment, but people need to get over how the kid dresses. Do you really think that people dream "of the chance to walk out there with his tie straight, shirt tucked in"? Probably not. And what's wrong with calling this "just another event"? It's probably a good way to approach it rather than putting too much pressure on it. People just need to get over the fact that these great athletes have a more laid back approach to life.
  7. Danimal
    7. Posted by Danimal Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:32 pm EST

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    This guy is a disgrace to his country. Elite athletes are usually coddled brats with no sense of reality. Japan set a dress code for it's athletes and one would think the least he could do to show his appreciation for the free ride would be to abide by that dress code. It really doesn't seem like that's too much to ask.
  8. Ken
    8. Posted by Ken Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:32 pm EST

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    the fact that japan didn't send him home shows that they are more interested in getting a medal then sticking to their guns. the suit is a small issue. but if someone says the olympics are not a big thing, then send the idiot home.
  9. martin_rulz6
    9. Posted by martin_rulz6 Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:05 pm EST

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    Didn't the last time someone decided to act like that in the Olympics, they ended up failing epically, like Bode Miller?
  10. martin_rulz6
    10. Posted by martin_rulz6 Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:07 pm EST

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    And also, yes, I agree with Ken. Someone says out loud the Olympics mean nothing to them? If I led that NOC, I would personally come up to the guy with his plane ticket home, and have the next guy who finished first out take his place, someone who would appreciate the Olympics more than this moron.
  11. BigBadBills
    11. Posted by BigBadBills Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:39 am EST

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    I'm all for people making a statement for individuality, or progressing past inane customs that don't make too much sense when you really consider them.
    But what bothers me about this guy is that he makes the individual fashion statement, and then completely backs off and apologizes immediately when faced with the 'Committee'. Then goes and soapboxes to the media.
    So if he believes that the Olympic uniform is tacky, and that the whole thing is overhyped, that's his prerogative. But actually stand up for what you believe in, follow through. Don't waffle when faced with someone with an ounce of authority.
  12. pallison
    12. Posted by pallison Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:47 am EST

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    You know, I dont think a kid wearing a suit with his shirt untucked is the real reason the people on this board are so "appalled" and "incensed" at his "disgraceful" behavior. Some kid who looks different than they do does something naughty and the bigot's knives come out.
  13. SAPP
    13. Posted by SAPP Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:11 am EST

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    if he is a top of the line snow boarder he doesn't needs to the olympics to prove his status as it. He can get his free ride and more money regardless where he end up. It is just another sporting event. I didnt think Japan was that stuck up. Considering 1% of their GDP is from porn and prostitution. He just made his country look that much younger and the reactions show how old and uptight japan really is. But he better back up his swag or then it was done and said in vain.
  14. ArgyleArtichokes
    14. Posted by ArgyleArtichokes Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:40 am EST

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    First if the article's only translating what the guy's saying in this video, he doesn't call the Olympics "just another sporting event" OR "nothing special." (If there's more to this video than what's shown in the clip, I apologize.)
    What he does say is, "I do regret what I did." and then "I'm only focusing on doing my very best and giving it my all when it's showtime."
    And for everyone who's being racist... really? Is that really the way you're going to approach this? Take a look at, really, any country and you'll find people who like being a tad rebellious, especially among athletes and in sports like snowboarding. As Matt P said, it's just showing individuality and I really find it amusing that people will turn this into an anti-Japanese campaign.
  15. Handsome Pete
    15. Posted by Handsome Pete Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:42 am EST

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    Artichokes, yeah there's more than just this clip. He was asked if he could understand the JOC's decision to forbid him from attending the special opening ceremony for Japanese athletes, and he muttered (very quietly) "Shut it!" before his coach prompted him to say "Hansei [profane]emasu" (I regret my behaviour). He did not say it of his own volition. In fact, when he was asked how people should view his fashion choice, he smirked and said, "Shibui" (Cool!/Tough!).
    Check this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDcbW4bi2hc for a longer version.
  16. Handsome Pete
    16. Posted by Handsome Pete Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:43 am EST

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    Haha, the [profane] in the above comment is just part of the Japanese language: it should say "Han sei shi te masu" but I guess those 4 letters strung together cause the censors to come out!!!
  17. Bluefeathers
    17. Posted by Bluefeathers Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:49 am EST

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    So he's more laidback than his peers, whoopdedoo! I was never one to conform myself. I LOATHE tucking in my shirt, then again..I'm a girl. :P
    Leave the boy alone and focus on MORE IMPORTANT things in life. losers.
  18. what nerve
    18. Posted by what nerve Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:35 am EST

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    i dont understand dreads on a japanese? another wannabee LOL.... the last comment said it right, play your little rebellious bull [profane] in front of your angst ridden buddies when youre having a beer. keep the decorum of the olympics that way it should be and stop breaking tradition [profane]!
  19. William M
    19. Posted by William M Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:36 am EST

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    if he wins they will be kissing his Azz
  20. ownme
    20. Posted by ownme Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:38 am EST

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    man how sad is this?? sure he made mistake, but he is a snow boarder, what is it with people needing everybody to be like them? it has lead to some of the most uninspired and stupid leadership, mass produced stuck up fools electing useless eunuchs in Japan and retards in America voting for people like Bush and Palin, man I dress pretty conservative but then again I am not a snowboarder, it is the idiots who complained who should grow up!!
  21. Rich
    21. Posted by Rich Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:38 am EST

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    r u kidding he's 21 get over it he's a kid..the style come with the sport..get a life ..the olympic's r over rated anyway ..no body watches them anyway..this isnt 1950's anymore
  22. LarryR
    22. Posted by LarryR Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:39 am EST

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    Waaaah! Government first!
  23. Scotty
    23. Posted by Scotty Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:39 am EST

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    jeeeeeeeezus. was it just my video player, or does it sound like; " the walrus is paul " ? Sh*t at least he HAS hair !
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