Is anyone else wishing the Olympic coverage was more about the athletes and less about the news crew? It seems like they sometimes blather on and on just to hear the sound of their voices. Then we have the teasers for what is coming up later in the broadcast, and those are all about the announcers getting face time on the screen. One of the teasers last night was about a documentary that will air Sunday night about the Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding scandal at the Olympics 20 years ago.
I thought it was tabloid television at it’s worst back then, and I haven’t changed my mind since. Yes, it was tragic that Nancy got attacked during the games. It was horrible that Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckhardt, thought the best way to make sure Tonya won the Olympic gold was to break her main competitor’s leg. But the media back then turned it into drama, not news, and in my opinion, the drama ended in 1994.
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| Image Courtesy of Free Figure Skating Clip Art |
On a more positive note, the skating in the final event for the ladies’ singles last night was spectacular. Every skater went out on the ice with fire and passion and skated her heart out. I’m glad I was not responsible for judging because I loved all the performances, although it was clear to viewers, as well as judges, that Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova deserved the gold. Her reaction when she finished her program was so emotional and so memorable, and we could see what the skate meant to her. Not just because of the possibility that she won. But she clearly rejoiced in what she had been able to do on the ice. There is a wonderful picture of her taken at the very end of her performance that you can see if you click on the link above. Since the picture is copyrighted, I can’t borrow it.
To me, that is what the Olympic Games are all about. The athlete rejoicing in what she or he can do.
Now for some Friday Fun. The following one-liners were borrowed from the Clean Jokes Website.
If you are running next to me on the treadmill, the answer is YES, we are racing.
The past, present and future walk into a bar. It was tense.
What fits your schedule better……Exercising 1 hour a day or being fat 24 hours a day?
Silence is golden, Duct tape is silver
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No, I’m not watching that mess, I agree one hundred percent! I hate the coverage too. I want to see the athletes too, all of them, not just the Americans, and so, so much less of the announcers! I do like the stories and trips through Russia though – love getting that view. We really know so little about the place. The skating was beautiful and the right girl won!
Great post!
Thanks for stopping by, Yolanda. I, too, have enjoyed getting to see and learn more about Russia. That is a country that has always fascinated me.