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Brian Boitano and Brian Orser fight for Olympic gold

Broadcast Date: Feb. 22, 1988

It is one of the most gripping moments of the Calgary Games. It ends with American figure skater Brian Boitano inching out Canada's Brian Orser for the gold in what is hyped as the "Battle of the Brians." Orser had been in first place after the short program, but a slip during his triple-flip in the long program costs him the gold. The day after the dramatic finale, the Belleville, Ont. native can't hide his disappointment from CBC's Peter Downie.

Brian Boitano and Brian Orser fight for Olympic gold

• Brian Orser had come to the Calgary Games as the 1987 world champion, a title he had taken away from Brian Boitano in a close finish.

• Orser had come to Calgary to take home the gold medal, having lost it to another American skater, Scott Hamilton, at the 1984 Winter Games in Sarajevo.

• Despite the media frenzy over the perceived Battle of the Brians, the two skaters remained friendly off ice.

• The two Brians duelled again at the 1988 world championships in Budapest. Orser placed second once again behind Boitano. Shortly after the world championships, Orser retired from amateur skating and turned professional.

• At the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Games, Orser became the first man to land the triple axel in an Olympic competition.

• Orser was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988.

Brian Boitano and Brian Orser fight for Olympic gold

Medium: Television

Program: Midday

Broadcast Date: Feb. 22, 1988

Guest(s): Brian Orser

Host: Peter Downie

Duration: 4:08

Last updated:
Jan. 14, 2010