Seattlest: Olympic Fever Peking

TroyJMorris

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:33:22 -0800

That's the case with most news organizations. More often than not, the general public cares more about the person and personal stories. Hence, international-sports stars. It's not just a U.S. phenomenon. And why is that necessarily bad? Isn't the reason we enjoy sports are the people? Otherwise, wouldn't you watch every sports team rooting for each player and team equally... wait... then why play a sport at all? People are fundamental aspects in all events. It's what draws our interest... why? Because we, as humans, enjoy seeing ourselves in other things because it helps us understand something.

Brad

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:59:16 -0800

Costas once said that the NBC bigwigs have done studies which show that the general public would rather see US athletes in human interest stories, as opposed to, you know, actual sports. It's kinda hard to stomach, imho. I wish DirecTv had CBC. Thank god for Tivo.

Eco Geek

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:33:28 -0800

I have to agree with johnnye, the US coverage focuses too much on US athletes. My wife made me get cable just so she can watch the CBC feed. However, I'm guess that since it isn't in hi-def on CBC she'll cave and come crawling back to NBC.

eaglejohn

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:01:19 -0800

I don't follow the Olympics too much any more but I am watching CBC right now. The colors for the opening ceremony are outstanding and very remarkable.... and (where is that thesaurus when I need it?) I don't care for NBC's coverage as it focuses too much on the human interest angle and not enough of the other competition. They also don't show much that is not USA teams competing. For instance, I would like to see more of the Chinese teams competing but will not be able to see them unless they are competing against the USA. and we are blocked from seeing much online but there will be lots archived so online may be the way to go this year even though we in the USA won't be able to see it live.

TroyJMorris

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:17:55 -0800

Oh No! Also, the PI yesterday had a spread on local, actually competing, athletes. Like Brad Walker from Mountlake Terrace on the Pole Vault, Travis Stevens from Tacoma in Judo, and Hope Solo (I have always loved fun names like Picabo Street) as the Goal Keeper for the woman's football team. She hails from Richland. There are a few more, but I get bored of rowing.

Simonian

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:10:35 -0800

Pardon my ignorance, but what does Ohno compete in during the summer games?