Brief Olympic notes

[oyceter]

I love the Olympics, despite the fact that I generally despise the nationalism that goes along with them.

On the other hand, it is very frustrating watching them in the US and having the focus be on all the US athletes, all the time. Plus, the announcers ask the stupidest questions!

ANNOUNCER: Keri Walsh, just how good does it feel to have found your wedding ring after it fell off during your game?
KERI WALSH: Oh, so good!
ME: ... DUH.

Also, besides the annoying US-centrism and the annoying faux Chinese commercials, all of which seem to feature dragons, and the horrible pronunciation of Chinese names (seriously, announcers! I know Mandarin is difficult, but it is still painful to listen to, especially for the athletes who aren't exactly new on the scene) and the desire to watch people not from the US, the focus on the US athletes is also just boring.

We all know the US is going to walk out of the Olympics with a ton of medals, right? As such, I am disgruntled and contrary and rooting for everyone else, and it feels like there is very little suspense in the broadcasts.

ETA: spoilers in comments

Comments

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

My family used to love ice skating. Love, love love it. And I remember in...god, it was probably 84, they had a great set of profiles on the men's medal contenders. "The battle of the Brians," Brian Orser (Canada) and Boitano (US). And I remember whatever network it was profiled them both, and it was great, because they both came off as genuinely decent guys. And then you cared about the final, and there was real suspense, and... I don't know what the hell happened.

[the-willow.insanejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

The US decided its dominance of the Olympics was a forgone conclusion so why bother profiling anyone else. They don't have to worry about the Romanians in Gymnastics anymore and they apparently don't respect the Chinese team. And anything where they don't actually win, they -treat- as if they win.

So what if some small Caribbean or African nation comes in first in things in Track & Field. The announacers/networks will talk about the American who came in third or fourth. AND they'll talk about how the Caribbean or African or fromwhereever not US athlete TRAINED in the US - so it's STILL all about the US.

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

I have so much trouble watching gymnastics anyway. Especially the women. Ugh.

Of course, back when the profiled even the foreigners too, they had better ratings. Not that they'll remember or care.