It has been very difficult to get terribly interested in the 2006 Winter Olympics. While some complain that the problem is that they cannot relate to the sports the real problem with the Olympics is the way that NBC is televising the games. Just like they have for the past decade-plus, the network does not show events live because they are more interested in ratings than they are in servicing the sports fan.
Much of the blame for this goes to Dick Ebersol, who runs NBC's Olympic coverage. He is beholden to the advertisers, not to his customers. Though Ebersol is one of the pioneers of the television medium, it seemst that he fails to understand that he would gain viewers by treating them intelligently and letting them watch events live when possible. By doing so, he could compete with the instant gratification that the Internet brings. Unfortunately, he does not trust the ability of the sport being broadcast to tell the story and instead relies on his producers to craft the tale.
This short-sighted approach to Olympic coverage robbed many sports fans of the ability to watch the 1,000 meter mens speed skating event and, more importantly, the post-race interview with gold medalist Shani Davis.
The south side of Chicago is the baddest part of town, but if you go down there you probably need not beware of man named Shani Davis, an amazing athlete who avoided immense peer pressure and channeled his talents into a sport not practiced by people in his neighborhood. He dreamt of Olympic gold and focused on the 1000.
Along the way, Davis has been guided by his mother, who hates snow because it's white, and a rift has developed between the skater and other members of the U.S. team. This rift came to a head earlier in the week when Davis turned down the opportunity to skate in a relay for the U.S. team -- a decision that other members of the U.S. team believed cost them a team medal in the event. (U.S. gold medalist Chad Hendrick was especially vocal about the decision.)
Some will argue that Davis should have raced, since he is a member of the team, but those people clearly were not in his skates. Davis trained his entire life for the 1000 and should not have been asked to split his focus on a team event.
Regardless, after the race Saturday, Hendrick was asked about Davis' win and replied that he was happy for Joey Cheek (who placed silver in the 1000), but didn't mention Davis at all.
Then came the magic moment. NBC reporter Melissa Stark attempted to conduct a post-race interview with Davis. Those watching might have suspected trouble from the outset based on Davis' demeanor. He couldn't have looked any more uncomfortable if David Duke had been the interviewer.
Stark attempted to elicit his feelings on the victory, but question after question was answered with one or two terse words. At one point, Stark asked him if he was angry. With a frown on his face, he replied robotically that he was very happy.
As the seconds elapsed, this flaming train wreck evolved and was unbelievably compelling. Unfortunately, it was shown not when it occurred, but rather, after 11:00 pm on a Saturday night.
Another magic moment at the 2006 Olympics.
Note: When I get access to the interview video, I will post it.
